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AIBU?

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Original poster

Chickenpox & Flying

60 replies

StorminaBcup · 19/12/2021 14:38

Posting for traffic. DS(5) has chicken pox, we’re on day 4 and due to fly early weds morning (22/12). NHS website says it’s non-contagious from day 5 but all other flight advice says you have to wait until last spot dries up.
Is it worth trying for a fit to fly note or should I just cancel? And if I cancel do we get the whole family holiday cost back or just for DS who can’t fly?
Bloody timing is awful.
YABU - get a fit to fly
YANBU - Cancel the holiday

OP posts:
Original poster
StorminaBcup · 19/12/2021 16:26

Bumping.

Appreciate this is a first world problem in the grand scheme of things.

OP posts:
Senmumm2021 · 19/12/2021 16:26

It is when all the spots are dried and crusted. The day 5 thing isn't true

OnGoldenPond · 19/12/2021 16:29

I would consult GP for advice and get a fit to fly if they consider him safe. The NHS website should be reliable. If you are unable to fly your insurance will cover cancellation for all members of the party as a 5 year old wouldn't be expected to stay home alone and look after themselves!

SantaHat · 19/12/2021 16:30

It is when all the spots are dried and crusted. The day 5 thing isn't true

This. And you risk being turned away at the gate if you take the gamble and go ahead.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 19/12/2021 16:33

My sister was turned away from a flight when her DS had obvious chicken pox.

Original poster
StorminaBcup · 19/12/2021 16:39

That’s really helpful thanks. It’s Lapland that we’ve had booked for 2 yrs (last year was canx as we were in lockdown). Did not see chickenpox coming at all, too busy worrying about covid Sad

OP posts:
MrsMonkeyBear · 19/12/2021 16:55

Cancel. My inlaws did this and travelled with chicken pox infected kids. One was on day 6 and the other came out with the spots the evening they arrived. My children then got exposed as my MIL was my childcare at that point. My youngest was very poorly with it.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 19/12/2021 17:40

God that’s bloody shitty OP. I agree, who even thinks about Chicken Pox at the moment?

I think others are right that you shouldn’t chance it

CharlotteRose90 · 19/12/2021 17:55

You need a doctors letter to fly. In all the airlines I’ve worked for you always need a fit to fly with chicken pox

FreedomFaith · 19/12/2021 17:58

Crap luck, but cancel.

Thecatisboss · 19/12/2021 18:01

Might be worth talking to your travel insurance to see if it's covered.

icedcoffees · 19/12/2021 18:04

He won't be allowed on the plane unfortunately.

mbosnz · 19/12/2021 18:10

Please cancel. My other half was directly responsible for a chicken pox pandemic in Hong Kong.

Lagomtransplant · 19/12/2021 18:57

Cancel. Your decision not to cancel could cause an epidemic elsewhere and put vulnerable people at risk for their life. I am sorry the sods law struck, but it would be irresponsible to go on.

Waspsarearseholes · 19/12/2021 19:17

Oh man, what dreadful luck. Have all the spots scabbed over? Or are they likely to in the next 2/3 days? You'll need to contact the doctor tomorrow to get a fit to fly in time, in which case nothing much will have changed I'm guessing. I feel gutted for you as Lapland really is a once in a lifetime trip for most of us but if your child is still infectious you run the risk of not being allowed on the plane and of course risk infecting many others When will they include chicken pox in the routine childhood inoculations?!

Original poster
StorminaBcup · 19/12/2021 19:41

No spots haven’t scabbed over unfortunately, they’ve all blistered though so likely to scab over in the next day or so. We’re due to fly on weds. Will make an appointment with the GP and leave it in their hands, I’ll need a note to claim on the insurance anyway Sad

Thanks for the advice everyone.

OP posts:
Onionbhajisandwich · 19/12/2021 19:45

My 5 year old has chicken pox too. Rubbish timing. I hope you make it to Lapland.

Original poster
StorminaBcup · 19/12/2021 19:52

Hope they’re doing ok @Onionbhajisandwich, he’s really sad to miss out on his Christmas party / Christmas dinner at school. What a curveball to round off 2021!

OP posts:
TheHoptimist · 19/12/2021 19:58

We had to get a fit to fly (back from Spain). It had been at least 14 days since she contracted it from school and was scabbed.

Bringonsummer19 · 19/12/2021 20:02

Oh no, Do you have other children who haven’t had it? Speak to GP. If their blistered then probably will scape over in the next day or two.

Original poster
StorminaBcup · 19/12/2021 20:11

Everyone else in our party has had it but I’d hate to be the one spreading chicken pox on a plane full of children to Lapland!

OP posts:
HoboSexualOnslow · 19/12/2021 20:23

@StorminaBcup

Everyone else in our party has had it but I’d hate to be the one spreading chicken pox on a plane full of children to Lapland!
Thanks for being considerate. As an adult who hasn't had it, it frightens me!
AD80 · 19/12/2021 20:26

It's when spots are crusted. For my son that was within 5-6 days. A little longer for Dd though. What a nightmare op!

pianolessons1 · 19/12/2021 20:29

Contagious until spots are crusted over which can be anything up to 10 days from the last spot. Please don't bother your GP for a letter, we are too busy at the moment - private travel clinics are available if you need one

MeredithGreyishblue · 19/12/2021 20:30

Oh what a shame!

I'd be a bit pissed off with you if I found out you'd brought a child with Chix Pox on to our flight, with everything else going on. Be very sure he's not infectious!