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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Flying with DD1 who has chicken pox.

51 replies

Fedupofplaystation · 11/05/2015 21:08

DD1 (3 years) has just developed chicken pox. We are on holiday and due to fly home on Wednesday.

I know I'd BU to take DD1 on the plane, but what on earth do we do now?

The doctor who confirmed the pox said to go to the airport and if anyone asks, say it's an allergic reaction Shock It's quite plainly chicken pox, surely we'd be stopped from getting on the plane?

Not to mention the fact that I won't knowingly expose a pregnant woman, someone who is immunocompromised or an adult who hasn't already had it to chicken pox.

I haven't contacted the travel insurance company yet as it was quite late when confirmed (different time zone). Will they they cover this? Are we likely to have to change hotels? How long is it likely to be before we can fly? What if DD2 catches it, just as DD1 is improving?

How on earth do I keep two kids, one unwell and itching, entertained in a hot hotel room with no toys?

OP posts:
LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 11/05/2015 21:10

Oh crikey. That's tough on you, but you are doing the right thing.

Where are you, can you rent a car and drive back? Is DD ill or just tired/cranky?

exexpat · 11/05/2015 21:12

You certainly shouldn't fly with her. Check with the airline, but they will almost certainly confirm that, which should mean you're covered on travel insurance. We once had to cancel a flight when DS had a double ear infection, and the doctor advised against flying - travel insurance paid up with no quibbles once we had a letter from the doctor.

AnythingNotEverything · 11/05/2015 21:12

This happened to us. Insurance paid for one adult to stay with the child. Luckily we were with family. The insurance company covered medical expenses (we had to see a Dr 2-3 times to get a fit to fly certificate) and a new flight home plus transfer. They didn't cover my loss of earnings when I had to take a week off work unpaid.

NightsOfGethsemane · 11/05/2015 21:12

Gosh what a stupid suggestion from the doctor! No, of course you can't take her on a plane.

It will be safe to travel once all the spots are crusted over. DD2 may develop symptoms soon or she may not. My DS got spots a fortnight after his sister.

Travel insurance is designed for this sort of eventuality. Let them sort it out for you.

makeminea6x · 11/05/2015 21:13

Health protection authority advice is to treat them as infectious for 5 days from the start of the rash. Other than that I can't advise you sorry! Hope this somehow becomes not a nasty time for you.

Charlotte3333 · 11/05/2015 21:13

I think the airline would flatly refuse to allow your DD to fly home if they were to notice it. So you could try going to the airport, but don't get your hopes up. Why did the Dr advise you to lie, surely that's hugely inappropriate?

Check your travel insurance fine print; I can't imagine why they wouldn't cover it but if worst comes to the worst you may have to remain there til she's safe to fly. Could your DP/DH fly home with DD2 while you stay there with DD1 if the insurers agree to a different flight home?

BikeRunSki · 11/05/2015 21:16

I know that this is not what you want to hear, but my sister was not allowed to fly home with her DS when he had chicken pox. She was actually on the plane and she and her 2 dc were asked to get off. Fortunately (ish) she was abroad visiting relatives, and went back to them. This was with EasyJet about 5 years ago.

SanityClause · 11/05/2015 21:16

Gestation period is about 21 days, so if DD1, eg, caught it from school, It's likely to be a while before DD2 actually becomes ill, even if she does catch it from DD1.

Do speak to the insurance company. It's very likely to be covered.

DD1 will be infectious until all the sores scab over. This could easily be in a few days.

As for entertaining your DC, crap foreign television will be your friend. You must have brought some toys and books with you? Make up silly stories?

cariadlet · 11/05/2015 21:16

No way should the doctor have told you to lie, but I always thought that the most infectious stage was before the spots actually appeared.

domesticslattern · 11/05/2015 21:18

You poor things.
That advice from the doctor is jaw-dropping Shock

My personal experience of chicken pox is that there was a one week (actually now I think about it, 10 days) grace period between DC1 crusting over and DC2 coming out in it. Hopefully you'll get the same and come home speedily during it!

exLtEveDallasNoBollocks · 11/05/2015 21:18

When we were in Tunisia there was a family whose daughter developed CP over there. Dad flew back as usual with son but mum had to stay with Poxy DD. AFAIK the insurance company paid. You need to get on to your insurance ASP - most of them are 24hrs these days

pudcat · 11/05/2015 21:18

If you have another adult with you I would let them take your other child home. If not you could be there even longer if that child catches it.

Grapejuicerocks · 11/05/2015 21:19

I know someone whose travel insurance paid out for chicken pox. You have no option really. If you try to get home by going to the airport and are refused, there may be an issue with the insurance because you haven't notified them early enough.

Get on that phone to the insurers now, and take their advice.

Sympathies, as I wouldn't imagine you will enjoy your extended holiday in the sun, much.

NickySummerbee · 11/05/2015 21:23

I looked into this when I realised DC had been exposed to chicken pox that would appear shortly before our planned holiday. As it was, they didn't catch it, but when I rung our insurance to enquire what would happen they would have refunded us for cancellation. I would have thought you would get to reschedule/accommodation for the child and one adult.

Original poster
Fedupofplaystation · 11/05/2015 21:23

We'll be contacting the insurance company tomorrow. It's reassuring to see that other insurance companies have paid up.

I'm here with my DMum and 6 month old DD2. Would DMum have to take DD2 home? Wouldn't really want to be a flight away from either of the DDs Sad

At the moment DD1 is grumpy, tired and itchy, but not really poorly. However I'd have thought the dining room, shows, pool etc would not be a good idea either. It is lovely and hot here, but the chemist said to make sure she stays out of the sun.

OP posts:
Iflyaway · 11/05/2015 21:23

What a crap doctor! I hope once you are home you will make a complaint about him through the travel agency or the hotel you stayed at.

I hope it works out for you, thank god you are more clued up than him!

BikeRunSki · 11/05/2015 21:24

With my dc, and the vast majority of my friends, there were exactly 14 days between the first child getting CP spots, and the second one, but all previously-infected siblings did get it.

NickySummerbee · 11/05/2015 21:25

That's a bit tricky - hopefully the company will allow you all to stay! I'd make the baby a month or two younger & describe it as fully breastfed Wink

Bambambini · 11/05/2015 21:26

Yip, know someone else this happened to. Dad flew home with sibling and mum stayed with poxy one.

Grapejuicerocks · 11/05/2015 21:29

But if the baby stays and gets it, will the timing work?

NickySummerbee · 11/05/2015 21:30

If DC1 has come out in spots today, it was most infectious yesterday/day before (I think)? So baby has 14 days starting from then. DC1 can fly, what, a week after first spots appearing? So I think it should be okay... I need a calendar to cross dates off to work this out!

Allwayslookingforanswers · 11/05/2015 21:31

Where about are you on holiday?

drspouse · 11/05/2015 21:32

If DD2 is a lap infant and you can bear to travel with the two of them alone, it probably won't cost much to change DD2's ticket and send your mum home alone anyway. If you don't have to be back for work or much else, and don't mind taking the risk DD2 gets it in the meantime?

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 11/05/2015 21:32

Nicky wouldn't the insurance know the babies DOB.

Find out from the holiday insurance, if you want the baby to stay could you afford another flight for the baby.

NickySummerbee · 11/05/2015 21:33

Piper oh bother, of course they would.