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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:
Grapejuicerocks · 11/05/2015 21:35

I think coping with an ill child and a six month old baby on your own, would be horrendous. Presumably the accommodation will be paid for. Can your mum stay or dp fly out to you, if you fund their flight tickets?

ProudAS · 11/05/2015 21:36

Is DD2 still breast fed? Might you flying home with her and leaving DMum with DD1 be more practical (although not what you want)?

Original poster
Fedupofplaystation · 11/05/2015 21:41

I really didn't bring any toys as plan was to be out at the pool/beach/park/theme park all day. Which has worked well up until now.
Our TV has Cbeebies and BBC World News. All the other channels are in a different language and not child friendly.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fedupofplaystation · 11/05/2015 21:47

DD2 is bottle fed and recently started solids. She's loving the foreign food.

My Mum has said that she may be able to pay to stay with us, depending on the price...

OP posts:
drspouse · 11/05/2015 22:19

Can you buy some toys? Most places sell plastic tat even if it's at the vvvv local bazaar (go for a break from the DCs while your DM is still there, if she is going to leave!)

Catsize · 11/05/2015 22:42

This happened to us last month. 18hrs before we were due to fly, first spot appeared and we had to act quickly.
The airline (Icelandair) was brilliant. They changed our flights without charging us (insurance had said only one adult could stay with our ill daughter - bit bonkers as we were effectively quarantined for a week).
I extended our car hire.
I booked a flat via Air B&B as staying in a hotel would have been difficult with an ill baby and a toddler and the risk of infection etc.
I lost a week's earnings but otherwise it worked out okay. Apart from me breaking my elbow on the last day of our extended stay but that is another story!
Good luck OP.

Catsize · 11/05/2015 22:44

The insurance company will want a Dr's note that your DD is not fit to fly. I suggest a different doctor!

nocabbageinmyeye · 12/05/2015 00:17

If your dd2 is 6 months am I wrong in saying she has op's immunity for the first 6 months so chances of her getting it are quite slim???

I bet you'd love a playstation now if your stuck in a hotel room sorry couldn't resist

JessBear123 · 12/05/2015 08:17

This happened to us. The day before we were due to fly back!
I couldn't believe it.
The insurance company paid for one person to stay with child, but my oh changed his flights for a few days time for a small charge. Insurance company were very good, they paid for transfer, appointments, taxis and flights. They even booked the appointments!
You have to get a fit to fly from the doctors before you fly, also to confirm to insurance to book flights back.
It was very stressful!

Flowers
LIZS · 12/05/2015 08:18

You shouldn't let her travel. Insurance will only cover the additional costs of you and dd1 staying and changing travel plans. At a push it will include dd2 as a dependent , and her costs are likely to be less anyway, but I guess it will become a problem if you are left on your own with both and cannot go out. If you are on a package can you speak to the rep re dr's note and insurance. They can also rearrange your travel and accommodation.

Original poster
Fedupofplaystation · 12/05/2015 12:49

Good news: insurance company will cover us.
Bad News: Was on hold with teletext holidays to rearrange everything for ages and they're calling us back some time today...
Baby can only tolerate Aptamil Comfort milk. I've tried loads of times to get her onto normal stuff. We will run out on Friday. Today's doctor says we can't fly until Sunday. They don't sell Aptamil Comfort in Mallorca.

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 12/05/2015 12:54

Your baby will tolerate something else if there is no alternative, trust me. She may choose to miss a couple of feeds or up her solids and I doubt either will improve her mood (poor you) but she won't starve herself to death.

TenerifeSea · 12/05/2015 12:55

Can someone fed ex you the Aptamil? I know it will cost a bomb but it's worth a shot.

Lima1 · 12/05/2015 13:00

A few years ago my DD got chickenpox a few weeks before we were due to go to Spain for hols. Exactly 14 days later my 2 DSs caught it. I had to get a cert from the GP to say they were fit to fly. They had had it 10 days at that stage so GP said they just made it.
Halfway through the flight the stewardess copped the spots on the boys and freaked out. I showed her the cert but she was really annoyed that we had been let on the plane without being checked.

We kept the boys well covered up from the sun in full UV suits and hats and they were fine.

honeyroar · 12/05/2015 13:26

An aircraft can end up impounded by Port Health and all the passengers held until everyone is checked when there is an infectious disease onboard, so no wonder the cabin crew freaked out. That's without the risk to pregnant or more infirm passengers. I can't believe the first doctor suggested lying!

OP I hope you're ok. Perhaps the hotel would be able to dig up some toys?

BarbarianMum · 12/05/2015 13:52

Toys are available in Mallorca. Suggest you go for cheap stuff: pens and paper and colouring books. With maybe trips out to the beach first thing in the morning and in the evening when they get quiet? Ask hotel staff if there are any quiet parks or woodland locally you could visit - I'm sure they'll be sympathetic to your predicament.

DonVitoCorleone · 12/05/2015 14:03

can dp fly out to you

Not everyone has a DP

is DD2 still breastfed?

Not everyone breastfeeds

BikeRunSki · 12/05/2015 16:42

In the OP it says that the baby is formula fed.

BikeRunSki · 12/05/2015 16:44

Sorry, not in the OP, but fairly early on in the thread.

themeaningofliff · 12/05/2015 16:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RB68 · 12/05/2015 17:02

Re the Aptimil - can you find someone willing to bring some over for you - plea on fb a few other places here, holiday rep etc might find someone. SUre there must be someone somewhere... I would start trying other milks before this one runs out to eek it out a bit, so use other milks to mix with food for solids part etc.

I would go for the cover up and still go to the beach in a quiet spot or early/late. Toys again, go and see what there is in the supermarket. Kids do make toys out of lots of things.

Cheshireblue · 12/05/2015 17:10

I once ran out of formula in spain. I called the cow & gate helpline that was on the packaging. They suggested a spanish alternative (that was made by them I think).
They did say they wouldnt recommend it but it was the best to use in the circs. Good luck

BikeRunSki · 13/05/2015 21:37

How are you doing FedUp

Original poster
Fedupofplaystation · 15/05/2015 14:14

Thank you.
We are OK. Insurance company was lovely.
Teletext holidays were crap. Apparently they couldn't help with finding accommodation or flight transfers and when I questioned was told "It is quite short notice you know."
Sorted it ourselves though. Hopefully flying home on Sunday.

OP posts:
NightsOfGethsemane · 15/05/2015 19:10

Good stuff OP. Glad it's worked out ok.