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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you visit someone who has chickenpox tomorrow?

69 replies

whynotwhatknot · 24/12/2021 19:05

Family member aged 7 has chickenpox 4th day of it today

Meant to be going round there for xmas dinner-have had chickenpox as a child not vulnerable-everyone else visiting has previously had it

Dh not keen as has to work and doesnt get sick pay

What would you do

OP posts:
toomuchlaundry · 24/12/2021 20:05

You don’t want chicken pox as an adult, it can be awful

Pedalpushers · 24/12/2021 20:06

When people think they had chickenpox twice it's nearly always something else misdiagnosed. You really can't get it twice.

MrsClatterbuck · 24/12/2021 20:06

My friend had it at 18. She had a terrible time. Not sure If you have had it already can you get shingles from it?

Wolfiefan · 24/12/2021 20:08

@Pedalpushers it’s unusual but not impossible.
No way would I go.

toomuchlaundry · 24/12/2021 20:08

NHS website says you can get it twice but it is unusual

MrsColon · 24/12/2021 20:12

Assuming not pg, I'd go - I've had shingles, and contact with kids with chickenpox is meant to boost immunity.

I was extremely poorly with chickenpox and shingles, I really don't fancy either again!

PinkandGreenWaterBottle · 24/12/2021 20:12

I'd stay away personally, my DD is 6 and has a chicken pox 3 times each time worse than the time before, so I wouldn't risk her getting it.

If I didn't have DD to think about then I'd go.

icedcoffees · 24/12/2021 20:18

@Pedalpushers

When people think they had chickenpox twice it's nearly always something else misdiagnosed. You really can't get it twice.
Are the NHS telling lies then? Because they say it's possible to get it more than once.
SuPerDoPer · 24/12/2021 20:19

If I hadn't had chicken pox yet (just my 40s) I would pay to get vaccinated tomorrow.

icedcoffees · 24/12/2021 20:19

Info here:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox/

Possible to get it more than once though it is unusual. Personally I wouldn't risk it as it can be really serious in adults and the last thing I'd want at the moment is to become unwell and in need of hospital treatment.

jay55 · 24/12/2021 20:19

I'd not go.
Mostly as the kid is probably still feeling shit and grumpy.

MajorCarolDanvers · 24/12/2021 20:20

@whynotwhatknot

Yes he saying he looked it up and its possible to catch it twice

i just think its an excuse

It's very rare to catch it twice.
Cattitudes · 24/12/2021 20:22

@MrsColon

Assuming not pg, I'd go - I've had shingles, and contact with kids with chickenpox is meant to boost immunity.

I was extremely poorly with chickenpox and shingles, I really don't fancy either again!

Yes, for this reason I would consider going, to boost my protection against shingles. By day 4 probably less infectious anyway.
Iheartmysmart · 24/12/2021 20:24

I had chickenpox quite badly as a young teen, when ex-DH and DS both had it many years later I was absolutely fine despite being around them both all the time.

Do agree though, it’s a horrible illness to get when you’re older. Probably the only time I recall my ex been floored by a virus in the entire 26 years we were together.

DeckTheHallsWithGin · 24/12/2021 20:25

No issue if you’re all adults who’ve had it.

Aprilx · 24/12/2021 20:26

No I wouldn’t go as it is not something I would like to have as an adult.

Hesma · 24/12/2021 20:28

@OhPeeQueue you can get it more than once, not uncommon

MrsTerryPratchett · 24/12/2021 20:29

I had it twice. And DD had the vaccine and got it.

It's not actually that uncommon.

whynotwhatknot · 24/12/2021 20:31

Mixed responses then-the dc is apprently feeling much better today and is looking forward to seeing family

Fingers crossed nobsdy catches it

OP posts:
Whitecushion · 24/12/2021 20:32

But most of us have it as children and then see our own children through it. Having had three children and therefore three seasons of it I dont know any adults who caught it again from their children.

Vicliz24 · 24/12/2021 20:36

I had it as an adult and was hospitalised. It was horrible. I most definitely wouldn't be going.

ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy · 24/12/2021 20:40

I'd go, as I don't think it's that common to get it twice. And neither of my kids have it to me, so my risk assessment would say to go.

liveforsummer · 24/12/2021 20:44

If he was going to catch it a second time it would likely be before now. As an adult chicken pox wouldn't even register as it didn't when my dc had it.

PurpleMauve · 24/12/2021 20:49

You can catch Chicken Pox twice. Adults suffer worse than children.

I wouldn’t go unless you want to risk catching it.

IMO, it’s similar to people having Covid gatherings ATM and the reason why I’m not spending time with anyone outside my household whilst indoors and unmasked during the Christmas/New Year break.

Jjjayfee · 24/12/2021 20:53

My son caught it last year and was extremely unwell in spite of having been prescribed antivirals to reduce the more serious side effects of catching it as an adult.