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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Chicken Pox diemma

136 replies

519888888z · 13/08/2017 15:48

Would really appreciate some advise. DS1 has chicken pox (spots started to appear Friday pm). We are meant to be flying to US on Sunday to visit family. Postponed trip as he was ill last time! Hopefully his spots will have crusted over and he won't be contagious by Sunday. Problem is DS2 who hasn't had chicken pox and isn't showing any spots. Dilemma is a) might he already be contagious - don't want to put anyone on flight at risk. b) supposing he became ill while away and we couldn't fly home. We are going for one week only and DH and I both have to be back for work. Is it reasonable or an over reaction to cancel trip because of possible chicken pox? Any advise greatly received. Finding this very stressful. Lost a lot of money last time (insured but excesses, admin fees, etc) not that this is of course the main issue.

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 13/08/2017 15:53

Sunday as in a week today?

I know I'll get flamed but you cannot put your life on hold in-case DC2 gets the pox? My 3 siblings had it and I never did?

That said I'd be very vigilant with the little one. Any sign and you must cancel.

Queenioqueenio · 13/08/2017 15:57

I would say that there is a good chance that DS 1 will be crusted over by next Sunday, however you have no way of knowing or not knowing whether ds2 is incubating it.
If he does develop it you won't be able to able fly back until a doc certifies ds2 is not contagious.
I would say there is a good chance ds2 will catch it therefore not an over reaction to cancel.

BeyondThePage · 13/08/2017 16:00

My 2 didn't catch it from each other, despite sharing sippy cups and all sorts - they both had their own bout separately about a year apart. It is not a given that one will catch it from the other.

Would just keep an eye on the other one and be prepared to cancel if you have to.

Original poster
519888888z · 13/08/2017 16:48

Thanks for your very helpful replies. Do you know if I would need a medical certificate to say ds1 was no longer contagious?

OP posts:
BeyondThePage · 13/08/2017 16:56

I would ring your flight operator - they all have different rules about fit-to-fly.

d270r0 · 13/08/2017 17:03

I would think ds1 will be crusted ovr by 1 weeks time.
It takes about 2 weeks for siblings to show spotsonce hey catch it- they are not contagious until about 2 days before first sign of spots. So ds2 will probably get spots on the friday after you have left for the us. It is very likely he will get them if he hasn't had them before. If you are only going for 1 week ds2 will be in nasty open spots on your return to uk. So yes if I were you I'd cancel. They may not let you back with him in that state and it will be miserable for him on a plane. You may end up staying an extra week or more until he recovers.

d270r0 · 13/08/2017 17:05

Is it possible just one of you could go to us, poss with ds1 if recovered while the other looks after ds2?

ittakes2 · 13/08/2017 17:06

I don't know much about vaccinations but my children have had the chicken pox vaccination - could you ask if you get this for your second child whether it might have a positive outcome on them getting symptoms?

swingofthings · 13/08/2017 17:07

How bad would it be if you couldn't fly back? Could one of you delay the return whilst the other goes back with DS1? Would this incur an extra cost from the airline?

Very difficult situation as there is a good chance DS2 is incubating, but it can't be guaranteed, so really, it about how much you've got to lose going vs how much you've got to lose not going.

oldbirdy · 13/08/2017 17:08

This exact scenario happened to us. Dd got cp 10 days before flight, so was ok to fly. DS hadn't had them. We went anyway, making sure we had holiday insurance (in fact dh had forgotten to book it, but they accepted despite us saying truthfully that dd had pox but would be ok to fly). DS came down with CP on day 3 of holiday. Luckily we were staying with family; it would have been far harder in a hotel. We took him to doctor on day he came out with CP (mil bitched about me rushing him for medical attention, completely failing to understand it was in order to log with insurance). Long story short, he had to go back to doctor on day we were due to fly; doctor confirmed no flight that day. Dh stayed with ds and with family for 5 extra days paid for by insurance. I took other kids home. It was a bit of a dampener on my holiday (guess who got to stay home with sick kid!) But ds got a few days at the end where he caught up some of the trips he'd missed, and I am glad over all that we went even suspecting that ds was going to come down with CP.

oldbirdy · 13/08/2017 17:10

Btw we got medical certs for both kids pre flight and no one asked to see. Tried to get an injection for ds but we were told not possible on NHS post exposure unless he was immunocompromised.

doodlejump1980 · 13/08/2017 17:10

YABU. Your ds2 will be incubating/ carrying it and will possibly infect a plane-load of unsuspecting people. Delay your trip.

rachrach2 · 13/08/2017 17:26

I'd speak to insurance company either way but personally I'd go if the spots are crusted - we'd have cancelled at least three holidays if we didn't go every time they'd been exposed, one time of which was a cousin who'd been living with us for a month so loads of exposure. No pox!

FuzzyCustard · 13/08/2017 17:30

Every chickenpox thread I come on to say the same thing...my DH is severely immunosuppressed and cpox could kill him. I'd therefore be extremely grateful if everyone with cpox stayed at home until all risk is over.

(Having said that, DH wouldn't be on your flight as he couldn't get insurance, but he might come into contact with you elsewhere).

Please think hard about it.

dementedpixie · 13/08/2017 17:31

The incubation period is 10-21 days and there is no guarantee they will get it at all. It was 15 days between my 2 getting it

Workingmummyto1 · 13/08/2017 17:32

We got stuck in the US with our DS a few years ago with the chicken pox. He came out in spots 3 days before we were due to fly. US doctors were very strict about it as they vaccinate there so don't often see it. Had to rebook flights and wait for a fit to fly certificate which doctor granted about 4 days after our original return date. Be careful as insurance generally only covers new flights for the sick child and one parent. If you all stay the costs for the rest of the family are your responsibility.

Namesarehard · 13/08/2017 17:33

Delay it. Others shouldn't be put at risk so you can have a holiday. It's unfortunate but it is what it is.

BubbleGames · 13/08/2017 17:40

Please don't go. As someone with close experience of someone immune compromised, PLEASE, do not go.

Mulledwine1 · 13/08/2017 17:45

Just out of interest, what would you all be advising if you were already away and needed to be back for school/work etc?

There was a similar thread a couple of weeks ago when someone's child had vomited. Everyone virtuously saying they'd cancel their holiday. Well, maybe.

But if you needed to get home? I am being a little cynical but I don't think so, I think people would sneak on the flight home and hope their kid isn't sick again/that the spots don't show etc.

Lucyandpoppy · 13/08/2017 18:22

Is there any way DS2 could stay here with family or with one parent staying back? Not ideal but at least you wouldn't all have to miss out

Fluckle · 13/08/2017 18:30

My brother and I had this situation when we were 5 and 7. I had chicken pox before the family holiday, brother developed it while we were away (and the year before we'd written off the family holiday with measles - we were a joy!). It made the holiday miserable tbh because one parent was always stuck in the hotel room with my brother. But equally my children didn't get chicken pox consecutively. It's not a 'Given' your other child will get it.

Thought it worth mentioning though that the sun really brought out the blisters for my brother and he was absolutely covered. Take extra calamine and antihistamines with you just in case.

coriliavijvaad · 13/08/2017 21:41

If ds1 is definitely crusted over and ds2 has no spots then I would say it's OK to fly. Although it is indeed possible that ds2 could be incubating and contagious, with no symptoms the same could be true if anybody. So fly.

Obviously if ds2 has any spots or ds1 not completely crusted then you shouldn't fly.

Amaried · 13/08/2017 21:54

If your ds has crusted than I would go obviously assuming your other ds is symptom free... to the people who think you should stay at home in case he catches them, I'd never be able to anywhere in that scenario..

sazza76 · 14/08/2017 06:46

Please don't go. People seem to have forgotten the damage chicken pox can do. A friend of mine caught it during early pregnancy, her daughter has profound brain damage, she is deaf, blind, needs oxygen 24/7 and many fits all day and night.
People with poor immunity such as on chemotherapy can and do die.

Genghi · 14/08/2017 06:50

If you go, be prepared for US authorities to refuse to let you fly back without getting a consultant's appointment if he does get it. Chicken Pox is considered a big deal there. Knowing your son could have been a carrier would also invalidate your travel insurance and so if you had to pay hundreds for a consultant appointment it wouldn't be reimbursed.