To Want To Cancel Our Holiday

[Berrie]

I posted on this last weekend so apologies for repeating myself! DS has chicken pox and DD's first possible time of developing spots and becoming infectious coincides with a much looked forward to and only just affordable break at Center Parcs.
She may not develop it until we get back, she may not get it at all but the fact is that she will be infectious before we know she's got it and could infect newborns and pregnant women for whom it would be dangerous.
We don't have insurance and we could just take it in turns to sit with her, isolated in the chalet but I don't really want to do this and I'd rather dh saved his days off when we can all be together.
Understandably DH, who's Mum died 3 weeks ago, very much wants to go and risk it saying we will look for signs of illness meaning she's about to get it.
I think it's quite wrong to knowingly put other people's babies at risk - not that I know how big the risks are.
What do you think?

My ds1 came down with chicken pox when I was in the late stages of pregnancy. I was not immune (even though I'd had the vaccination). Ds2 was due to be induced early due to other medical complications. It was a VERY VERY scary time and the risks are high for both the mother and the baby.

Please don't be blase about chickenpox

If it was possible infection from a friend rather than a sibling then I'd say go - chances are she wouldn't come down with it and you'd then be kicking yourself. But it's her brother who had it and her levels of exposure would have been pretty high.

Given the levels of upset I went through, I really wouldn't do it. Sorry

I don't think I was OTT at all, some women you wouldn't even know they were pregnant and their baby could be hurt. Just because the chances are small doesn't mean they should be ignored. It's not something I could do with a clear conscious. I have a young baby and would go mad at anyone knowingly bringing a child that had a good chance of being infected near him.

Message withdrawn

most people know how i feel about chickenpox on here and taking children out and about with it.

Perhaps you could contact your GP and see what their advise is? If they think it is a problem then they might give you a letter that you could give to CP which then might help you out with swapping the dates. Hope you sort something out so that you get a good holiday.

Personally I would go. She might not catch it anyway. There's loads to do without close contact with other people - biking etc, and it would be such a shame not to have a lovely family holiday. It's only chickenpox, keep an eye out for pregnant ladies, and everyone else should be fine.

It's not easy to tell the women who are only newly pregnant. The most dangerous times are in the first trimester and just before birth. People who have weakened immune systems are also at high risk of very serious complications.

It's one thing to unwittingly pass the infection on because you genuinely didn't know they were coming down with it. When it's a fair certainty because a sibling was infected then I feel it's highly irresponsible.

err its not just pregnant ladies you have to be careful of. people with low immune systems who look perfectly normal as well.

This is worth reading: Chickenpox in Pregnancy

Some selected quotes:

"Women who do acquire chicken pox while pregnant, especially in the third trimester, are at a greater risk of developing varicella pneumonia. Varicella pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening infection of the lungs by the varicella virus."

"Primary chicken pox infection in the first trimester of pregnancy, especially weeks 8 to 12, carries a 2.2% risk of congenital varicella syndrome, a syndrome of birth defects in the infant. The most common manifestation of congenital varicella syndrome is scarring of the skin. Other abnormalities that can occur include a smaller than normal head, eye problems, low birth weight, small limbs, and mental retardation."

"If a woman acquires a primary chicken pox infection within 5 days before and 2 days after delivery, her newborn is at risk for disseminated varicella infection. Disseminated varicella infection occurs when the virus infects a newborn before the transfer of protective maternal antibodies. This overwhelming viral infection leads to death in 25% of cases."

Previous Chickenpox thread - worth reading. Poor psychomum5 had it in late pregnancy and left her and her dd3 in very serious condition, including over 40 hospital visits for her dd3 as a result.

I am not taking DD out and about with it but in Berrie's position, I would consider going on the holiday and attempting to make the best of it while keeping her away from others. I don't really feel that this is irresponsible.

I was also planning to take DD to the park next week when other kids are all at school. She is climbing the walls with boredom already. And despite the fact that this could be construed as "out and about" I don't really see how I am risking anyone then either.

When people are judgmentally accusing others of being irresponsible and blase (a Mumsnet speciality) I think they are assuming those others don't have any common sense.

Different going out and about in fresh air than going on a plane

Thank you for your post ShinyHappyPeople - you have said what I was about to say, but much more eloquently.

Berrie - as said on your other thread, We went to CP when Ds2 had chicken pox, he broke out in spots on the friday and our trip was booked for the following monday.

We went, we didnt go swimming- ( well we took it in turns to go swimming with ds1), we went bike riding with ds2 in the burley trailer.
We stayed in of an evening, put kids to bed and dp and I chilled watching tv with wine.

We had a fantastic time, I understand your concerns, but as long as your sensible, I cant see a problem.

Of course it would be irresonsible to go to the kids disco or swimming or put kids in the creche. as long as you avoid these, I would imagine everything would be ok.

Thanks Rubberduck, I have of course looked up the dangers for pregnant people and newborns already (and people with poor immune systems misdee) but you are right to point it out. Don't worry, I hadn't suddenly decided to stuff it and flagrantly waft my infected children all over the place.
Thanks Shiney and Tiredemma, I think we can be sensible about what we do but I will ring Center Parcs just in case.

I would never take my child-with-chickenpox on a plane Paros!

Misdee shouldn't people with known immune-defficiency related problems have had their immunity to chickenpox tested, and been inoculated as necessary? That is the case as far as I am aware.. (re DS1's cf)

I was actually thinking that at least you care about other people enough to seriously consider not going on holiday . But I did not accuse you of thinking it was ok to go on a plane with chicken pox . And no if you are having chemo you are very vunrable (sp) to things like chicken pox . Have you made a decision yet . If you go I hope you have a lovely time .

This is a thread from 18 years ago