. . . to not go for fear of the pox?

[RedPandaFluff]

My poor little nephew has chicken pox - spots started coming out on Tuesday. Poor wee lad!

I'm spending next weekend (18th-19th August) with his mum/my sister. She had chicken pox when she was little. I've never had chicken pox, and I'm having embryo transfer (as part of my latest IVF cycle) less than two weeks after I see her - the transfer is scheduled for the 30th August.

I know that chicken pox is highly contagious, and very risky if you're pregnant. Should I pull out of our trip just in case . . . ? My sister has paid for her own travel, but I've paid for the accommodation, and of course she would still go, so she wouldn't be out of pocket in any way.

You know you can get vaccinated right?

NHS say, chicken pox is contageous from 2 days before spots appear until spots have crusted over, which usually is 5 days after spots appear.
Should be ok but clearly, your call.

Why don't you ring your IVF clinic for advice?

Are you seeing nephew? Obviously avoid him for a week or so.
Sister will be immune so don't worry about seeing her.

Immune people don't carry the disease around. You need to be in contact with a poxy or pre poxy person to get it. Unless she has poxy pus on her hands (unlikely if nephew came out poxy on Tuesday) it'll be fine!

Oh good, I'm reassured by these responses as I got a real mixed bag of info from Dr Google - two week incubation period, alarmist through to "its fine" etc.

My clinic is a bit useless - I explained the situation via email (clinic is abroad, no option to phone them) and they replied saying chicken pox is highly contagious and to avoid direct contact. They also said that adults can get chicken pox more than once so my sister could get it again. So in theory, when I see her, she could be pre-poxy or poxy . . .

I didn't know a vaccine is possible. Off to google. Although my embryo transfer in less than three weeks might prevent a vaccination . . .

Yep - it’s not on the standard nhs programme but you can pay for it at most boots/ Lloyd’s pharmacy type places. 2 doses - £60ish per dose. Worth considering anyway if you’re sure you haven’t had it.

It should be possible for her to get a test to check her immunity, but I don't know about the timelines - so in theory she could find out definitively before you see her. I would really recommend the vaccine before the transfer if at all possible as you'll face this situation throughout pregnancy otherwise.

I contracted chicken pox as an adult, and it is extremely horrible and unpleasant. But I think in this situation, unless she had chicken pox as a v young baby when its possible to get it again, she should be fine and you wouldn't be anymore at risk than going to the supermarket.

Incubation period is 21 days. That said if your sister (and everyone else that has been around nephew) has had CP then there shouldn't be an issue with contagion.

I haven't had CP and have a natural immunity (tested in each pregnancy). They think I might have immunity as I was exposed to it when my 3 siblings had it.

Dammit - vaccine isn't an option as it's two doses six weeks apart before it's fully effective.

Good point about supermarket/risk, reddress!

You'll be fine to visit. Both my kids have had it recently and we're crusted over in less than a week.

Get vacinnated

And personally I wouldn’t risk it - I’d stay away

I wouldn't go. You'll only worry.

Get your immunity tested now - highly likely you’re immune in which case no need to worry. As others have said you need to come into contact with a poxy person to risk catching it so sounds like you’ll be fine anyway.

Don’t risk it. I believe the world health organisation recommends having the vaccine at least 4 weeks before conceiving so better to just avoid the infection.