To be worried about/not want my dc to get chickenpox

[Dowhatdowullywup]

So I went to a party today where a child very obviously had chickenpox.

The mum said they had crusted over but the spots were still there and very red.

I have 2 dc 2 yrs old and 4 months old.

Firstly, AIBU to think these sores still looked active?

Secondly, AIBU to not want my kids to be around it if can be helped and them potentially getting very ill or is it always quite mild in children? Mostly worried about my 4 month old

My DD also had chicken pox in mid March. She was quite poorly, had a temp over 39 for a couple of day, was covered in spots and it took longer than 5 days for them to blister over. She had over a week off school and when she went back they still looked really red and angry but they had scabbed over - tbh I wouldn’t have been surprised if some people still thought she was infectious. She’s still got spot marks now but luckily they are fading.

Now wish I’d got her vaccinated.

My DS (3yo) had his first spot two weeks ago and they crusted over in 5days and are only beginning to fade now. Until now they’ve been red.

today my DDs (2yo and 5month old) came out in spots. I’m not worried tbh.

I should also say that my 5month old is EBF and I’ve had Chicken Pox so I’m a bit surprised she’s got it - but as I said, not worried

My son got it when he was small ( about a year old) and nearly died. He was very very ill and in hospital in isolation for over a week. I didn't know there was a vaccine ( hes now 18) if i had i most certainly would have vaccinated any further children. I don't blame you for being unhappy about this OP I would be as well, its thoughtless and selfish.

I vaccinated mine.

Shingles is reactivated chicken pox virus so having chicken pox doesn’t give you immunity to it!

DC had chicken pox pneumonitis and was very close to being intubated. I have utter contempt for anyone who knowingly exposes others to an active infection.

My DN is in hospital because of chicken pox right now, because her fever is unmanageable , she is covered in blisters wouldn't eat or drink, when we had DS vaccinated there was lots of eye rolling from various people, lots don't consider it a potentially serious illness. I don't regret it for a second. You can get it done at boots. The younger one can't have theirs until after 12 month general vaccinations.

DS was vaccinated and still got a few spot when he had it. Unless you have a big holiday planned that it could ruin I wouldn't worry about it. It can be nasty for a tiny proportion of kids but the vast majority get over it quickly. When DS had it I could have easily sent him to school as he was fine in himself

I had it when I was 28 and I was so so ill 😔 I really wished my mum had been slightly more proactive in letting me catch it when I was smaller!

I caught chikenpox as an adult from my daughter, and it wrecked my thyroid!

@bunnypenny hope they're both OK. I'm sure they will be, keep us posted

This is interesting! I'm now thinking of vaccinating but then doesn't it means they will just catch it as adults instead? Wonder how long you are protected for! Hope I'm not derailing the thread. Hopefully the OP will find it useful to make her own decision!

My ds had it when he was just under 1. I was pregnant with his brother. My grandson recently had it. And passed it on to ds. He went back to school Monday just gone . Still had the spots but they have dried. But as others have said they can look pretty red at that stage . I think when it's still catching they look kind of fresh.

is it always quite mild in children?

Absolutely not. For most, I gather it is, but definitely not all. I was very ill with it as a child and actually ended up in hospital. There was never any doubt in my mind that I'd get my DC vaccinated, and I did as soon as he was old enough.

Immunity seems to vary with the chickenpox vaccine. Some people may get lifelong immunity, some not. I'd still personally choose to vaccinate.

Both of mine have just had them. We're well past the scab stage now but they're both still covered in red marks - see photo. My son missed almost two weeks of school but has had to go back now.

My DC (7 & 4) haven't had chicken pox yet, either of them, despite it doing the rounds at various points. A friends son caught it recently & it meant they had to cut a holiday short. Being as DD is getting older we've decided to vaccinate both DC, as the cost outweighs the time off work/school we'd need to take if they both got it. Plus DH has never had it either so am worried he may get it bad if DC bring it home.

Def consider the vaccine , my two will be getting it when the baby turns one. I had shingles post birth and it was absolutely horrendous. The pain was worse than giving birth for me, I couldn’t even brush my own hair lifting my arms was that painful. I wish the vaccine was around when I was a kid so I could have dodged it! I wouldn’t want either of mine catching it if possible, of course most kids are fine but chicken pox is miserable and if you can lessen it’s impact that’s a good thing!

Both my children looked terrible 10 days past the start of CP (and past the infectious stage). Lots of definitions but usually 5 or 7 days after first spot and everything scabbed. It’s tough though as some spots scabbed quickly and then fell off leaving a mark that looked red!

It’s mild in that most children don’t get seriously ill. However, it’s a nasty virus in my experience. My fit 5 year old really suffered, my 2 year old looked terrible but wasn’t as poorly. Both fine now. I would get the vaccine if I could have time again.

My eldest had it at 22 months, very mild. Gave it to my youngest who was 4 months and it was even milder. The younger they are the milder it is I’ve heard. If they’re under one there’s a risk they can catch it again because they tend to get it so mildly (protection they have via mother’s antibodies I think) but you can ask for an antibody test when they’re older and then get them vaccinated if needed.

I’ve also heard (and I have no idea how much truth there is in this from the vaccine point of view) that the illness gives you lifelong protection but the vaccine is as yet unknown in how long the protection lasts. I think it’s quite standard to have the vaccine in Australia and the US if that’s any help.

@Frame why would the baby have natural immunity?

OP, my 3yo caught it from nursery last month and had lots of spots and a few grumpy days but was ok. They had all scabbed over in a week. The marks on his torso are still fading. My 6mo baby caught it from him and had a much higher viral load I think as he got it quite severely. Was miserable and absolutely covered. He has a scar in his face and a few in his torso and bottom BUT he was OK. It’s out the way, but I would absolutely have got the vaccine if I had my time again. FWIW the baby is ebf and I’ve had cp.

@Drame sorry that was for drame - why would the baby have immunity?

There's a post exposure vaccine. Get your older ones done asap.

@WildOnce thats helpful thank you I'm also ebf so fingers crossed if he does get it he won't suffer too bad. Glad you're two are over the worst of it

@wonkymonkey thats a good idea. Do you know anyone who has done this? I wonder if antibodies have to be non existent to get the vaccine if already had the virus