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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Could dc have caught chickenpox from mil?

60 replies

BuckleBuckaroo · 08/12/2020 15:21

Mil came on Sunday to drop off presents for dc's birthday. He turned 3 yesterday. Not sure if she was breaking lock down rules as she lives in a different area, and she and fil went for a walk with dh and dc? She didn't come inside. Just found out she has shingles and she didn't say anything beforehand or when she came here. Could my dc have caught chickenpox from her (he hasn't had it before) ? Dh said she was holding dc's hand and gave him some chocolate to eat? Will he have it over Christmas? Should I get some creams/ medicine just incase its when shops are closed?
AIBU to be annoyed she didn't say anything and was holding his hand when she has shingles?

OP posts:
2beesornot2beesthatisthehoney · 08/12/2020 15:24

I don’t think shingles is contagious as chicken pox is . I think the scabs etc are but I think through more direct contact and if they are on her trunk then he may be ok. Yes they should have said if they knew then.

MissConductUS · 08/12/2020 15:25

Yes, she could have given them chickenpox. Ring the GP and see if it's too late for them to get the vaccine for it.

She should have said something and avoided contact.

PurpleMustang · 08/12/2020 15:26

Has he actually come out in any spots yet?
And yes, what the hell was she thinking. It only takes a quick Google that you can pass on chicken pox. Has your DH has chickenpox? 1, she was ill. 2, she shouldn't have gone out. 3, your DH is also to blame here, holding the childs hand is not a socially distanced walk. If child has got it hopefully it'll be over before Christmas but think they can incubate it before showing.

ArtichokeAardvark · 08/12/2020 15:32

I'm afraid that yes, she could have given him chickenpox. DS caught it from an adult with shingles, it definitely does happen. There's roughly a 2 week incubation period before the spots appear, usually alongside a temperature. Sorry, bang on time for Christmas Sad

Racoonworld · 08/12/2020 15:34

Yes she could have passed it on and likely in time for Christmas unfortunately. And yes she was breaking the rules if she held his hand.2

Calmandmeasured1 · 08/12/2020 15:34

You can only catch Chicken Pox from someone with shingles if you are exposed to the fluid inside their blisters. So, unless your MIL had open blisters on her hand (or had fluid on her hand after touching blister fluid) then your DS could not have caught it from her.

frippit · 08/12/2020 15:35

I had shingles on my shoulder during the summer. I carried my 12 month old granddaughter all day and she must have touched the rash. At the time I thought it was just an allergy.
She did not contract chicken pox. My Dr said if you have contact with the shingles blisters fluid, it can pass on chicken pox.

I would say that it's only a very small possibility that your child could get chicken pox. I think your MIL should have let you know though. I was horrified that I might have unwittingly passed the virus on.

Sanch1 · 08/12/2020 15:35

Unlikely, to catch chicken pox from shingles you need to come into direct contact with the sores/spots/scabs. If you didn't notice any, likely to be on face or torso then I expect they were covered and you'll have no problems.

Original poster
BuckleBuckaroo · 08/12/2020 15:36

He hasn't got any spots yet. What should I get just incase - calamine lotion? Anything else? Yes dh finds it hard to say no to him mum. She is in a vulnerable group so should be following the rules. There is a part of me that thinks she did it on purpose because we are staying home this Christmas and not going to theres this year.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 08/12/2020 15:37

Shingles doesn't pass on chicken pox unless there is contact with the fluid in the blisters. If the blisters were covered then transmission risk is very low. It is not airborne like chicken pox itself is.

dementedpixie · 08/12/2020 15:38

There is a 10-21 day incubation period even if they did have contact with the blisters

Original poster
BuckleBuckaroo · 08/12/2020 15:38

Dh asked her about it and she is claiming don't be silly you can't catch chickenpox from shingles. But a quick Google search shows you can

OP posts:
jessstan1 · 08/12/2020 15:39

You can't catch chicken pox from shingles.

Original poster
BuckleBuckaroo · 08/12/2020 15:40

Since it might be on Christmas day and shops will be closed is calamine lotion the best thing to get in advance?

OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 08/12/2020 15:40

Oats are a good thing to have in, for making oat baths. They can be very soothing.

cookiemonster5 · 08/12/2020 15:40

My now 3 year old caught chicken pox from his older brother when he developed shingles. As soon as we knew it was shingles we kept the apart but the damage was done so to speak and within a couple days he was covered.

I would be having a stern word with mil about he coming round and not telling people she was contagious. For most people it wouldn't be a problem but it's your choice to make as to whether your children get exposed.

dementedpixie · 08/12/2020 15:40

@jessstan1

You can't catch chicken pox from shingles.
You are wrong It is possible to get chicken pox from shingles. Shingles is a reactivation of the chicken pox virus
AnathemaPulsifer · 08/12/2020 15:40

No harm in keeping some aqueous calamine cream and piriton in stock just in case.

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/12/2020 15:40

@jessstan1

You can't catch chicken pox from shingles.
Yes you can.
dementedpixie · 08/12/2020 15:41

If rashes are covered then you can even go to work and school with shingles if you feel well enough

MrsMonkeyBear · 08/12/2020 15:41

If it reassures you, neither of my kids caught chicken pox whilst I had the shingles and I had them on my face!!! DD2 was 6 months old at the time and constantly touched my face whilst she was breastfeeding.

As another poster said, they need to be in contact with the fluid from the blisters for it to be transmitted.

Original poster
BuckleBuckaroo · 08/12/2020 15:42

jessstan1 NHS website says you can

OP posts:
Omeara · 08/12/2020 15:42

I’ve had shingles twice. I spoke to my GP about risk the first time as I had been in contact with immunocompromised family members. He told me that the risk was very low. If the rash is covered by clothing then there’s no way they can come into contact with it.

Unless your MIL’s rash was in her hands (very unlikely and she wouldn’t have been holding hands if it was as it would be sore) then I wouldn’t be concerned.

However, has she (and your husband) not heard about social distancing? She shouldn’t have been close enough to hold hands.

Waveysnail · 08/12/2020 15:43

The rash can last for weeks but only infectious if weeping

Could dc have caught chickenpox from mil?
HotPatootiebootie · 08/12/2020 15:43

I have a screwed immune system and literally just got my third confirmed case of shingles. Every December for the last 3 years I have had it. Thanks Father Christmas!

Shingles is not as contagious as chicken pox. The only way it can be passed on is through the blister fluid. I've had this brewing for a week or so. First a cold with aches and pains for 4 days and then a burning strip of skin under my bra band on my back. Intense pain if it's touched in any way at all. After 3 days of that the rash started appearing today. The blisters will pop tomorrow and then scab over the day after. So I will only be contagious for 24-48 hours and you would have to actually touch the little patch of blisters that's the size of a credit card on my back. And if you did I would kill you as it's bloody painful! But I will have it dressed and be wearing clothes plus I wash my hands. So no chance at all of anybody catching it from me.

I hope your little one is ok.

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