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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU chickenpox

28 replies

Cookiecrumblepie · 19/02/2022 09:24

My child has chickenpox, can I go outside? Or should I be isolating? I can’t find a definitive answer anywhere!

I think I can go outside as long as I’m not in contact with pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems?

OP posts:
Original poster
Cookiecrumblepie · 19/02/2022 09:25

Sorry not specifically an AIBU, maybe ‘would I be unreasonable to go outside when my child has chickenpox’

OP posts:
Giraffesandbottoms · 19/02/2022 09:30

I don’t know but why don’t more people here get the chickenpox jab? I think it needs to be more widely advertised

dementedpixie · 19/02/2022 09:30

Only the person with chickenpox needs to stay away from others. Did you have it as a child?

dementedpixie · 19/02/2022 09:31

@Giraffesandbottoms

I don’t know but why don’t more people here get the chickenpox jab? I think it needs to be more widely advertised
Maybe because it costs money that people don't want to spend
Original poster
Cookiecrumblepie · 19/02/2022 09:31

I’ve had the vaccine, so I think I’m okay to go out but I can’t find any definitive guidance! And NHS 111 is so busy thought I’d see if anyone here knows

OP posts:
Awrite · 19/02/2022 09:32

Yes, I remember being expected to go to work when my kids had chickenpox. No question. I had to bring in grandparents for the duration.

Needcoffeecoffeecoffee · 19/02/2022 09:32

www.nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox/

MinnieMountain · 19/02/2022 09:33

DH and I went out when DS had it. It didn’t occur to me not to TBH.

Needcoffeecoffeecoffee · 19/02/2022 09:33

The person with chickenpox needs to stay inside until all their spots have scanned over.
People in the same house etc can go out

Pinkywoo · 19/02/2022 09:33

@Giraffesandbottoms

I don’t know but why don’t more people here get the chickenpox jab? I think it needs to be more widely advertised
Because it's expensive and GPs tell you it's not necessary, I agree it should be more readily available though.
SickAndTiredAgain · 19/02/2022 09:35

You’ve had the vaccine? You are absolutely fine to leave the house. It’s only those who actually have chickenpox who should avoid other people.

AmbushedByCake1 · 19/02/2022 09:35

The chicken pox vaccine is £150 and has to be given in two doses. That's why more people don't have it.

AFIK · 19/02/2022 09:35

No reason why you can’t go outside, unless you have it yourself. As above your child should stay in until spots scabbed over.

Needcoffeecoffeecoffee · 19/02/2022 09:37

@Giraffesandbottoms

I don’t know but why don’t more people here get the chickenpox jab? I think it needs to be more widely advertised
Because the worry is that it wanes so more adults would have chicken pox which can be worse and it can affect immunity for shingles www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/chickenpox-vaccine-questions-answers/

Its also not helpful when someone already has chicken pox to point out there is a vaccine

throughtheair · 19/02/2022 09:38

You've had the chickenpox vaccine yourself? As an adult?

LittleBearPad · 19/02/2022 09:39

Of course you can go out. Your DC can’t.

Original poster
Cookiecrumblepie · 19/02/2022 09:41

I had the vaccine as a teenager. Because my mum was worried because I just never got chickenpox as a child.

NHS guidance only talks about the person with the pox, not anyone exposed. But I definitely don’t have chicken pox, only my child has it so i think I’m okay to go out. I won’t be in contact with pregnant people etc just want to do some chores!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 19/02/2022 09:43

Of course you can go out. Even unvaccinated people/people who hadn't had it before could continue as normal if they were a contact. The incubation period is up to 21 days so you couldn't put your life on hold for that amount of time

ofwarren · 19/02/2022 09:47

You can definitely go out OP.
I hope your child is better soon.

Needcoffeecoffeecoffee · 19/02/2022 09:49

@Cookiecrumblepie

I had the vaccine as a teenager. Because my mum was worried because I just never got chickenpox as a child.

NHS guidance only talks about the person with the pox, not anyone exposed. But I definitely don’t have chicken pox, only my child has it so i think I’m okay to go out. I won’t be in contact with pregnant people etc just want to do some chores!

Yes as people have said you can go out The nhs guidelines would clearly say that you coulsnt go out if exposed to it. Its rare that a contact isnt allowed out. Most diseases it's only the person who has it who cant go out. Perhaps it's because of covid you are confused? But that's new and noone had immunity
Original poster
Cookiecrumblepie · 19/02/2022 09:49

Thank you everyone! Just wanted to be sure I’m doing the right thing.

OP posts:
Staryflight445 · 19/02/2022 09:57

You can go out but your child needs to remain at home until scabbed over.
Takes around 6 days.

Giraffesandbottoms · 19/02/2022 10:10

It never ceases to amaze me the things done people priories. Yes, it’s expensive but equally people will happily spend 150£ over the course of a month on alcohol or cigarettes or clothes for themselves 🤷🏻‍♀️

Giraffesandbottoms · 19/02/2022 10:19

*prioritise

Pinkywoo · 19/02/2022 10:22

@Giraffesandbottoms

It never ceases to amaze me the things done people priories. Yes, it’s expensive but equally people will happily spend 150£ over the course of a month on alcohol or cigarettes or clothes for themselves 🤷🏻‍♀️
Yes, because everyone on a low income spends their money on cigarettes and alcohol. Hmm