Adult Chickenpox WWYD?

[JarvisCockersRightEyebrow]

Reposted from chat as looking for some quick advice.

I’ve got chicken pox. I didn’t have it as a kid and I’ve got it now and wow do I feel rough. I phoned 111 for advice but haven’t heard anything back yet and I don’t have anyone else to ask. The spots appeared yesterday lunchtime and I’ve been taking anti virals since yesterday evening prescribed by the GP.

DH has been looking after our 5 month old since. Chickenpox is contagious from two days before the spots appear, so she’s already been exposed, but by keeping away from her I could possibly reduce the viral load. But should I? What would you do? I’m desperate to give her a big cuddle but I won’t if keeping away from her means she’s likely to get less badly affected.

YABU: Don’t isolate
YANBU: isolate

My ds was extremely poorly as a baby with CP (hospitalised) so for that reason alone I’d be staying away. Sorry, it must be miserable. Really hope you feel better very soon.

@MyBrilliantFriend sorry to hear that! Hope he’s ok now.

@JarvisCockersRightEyebrow he’s 7 now and mostly very well thank you, though he does need an inhaler due to the scarring on his lungs from the CP. It was a pretty scary time.

However, it was also very clear that his complications / level of illness was unusual for a young baby. So please don’t think it’s common or likely for your dc. It’s just that CP can be more serious than people realise & not worth messing around with, imo.

The earlier you have it in life the better, so I wouldn’t purposefully stay away.

I disagree. Maybe it's better to have it as a 5 year old than as a 30 year old. But a 5 month old baby? Not really.

I would keep away.

I just don’t know what to do for the best. DH really can’t take the next week off work so I can isolate from her anyway. This is so stressful. I feel so guilty. And ill.

I wouldn’t keep my distance. My mum did when she got very ill with it when I was five. I caught it from my toddler in my thirties and horrendously unwell for a fortnight while my toddler barely noticed. I am also scarred head to toe unlike my child!

Just noticed your child is 5 months. That’s more tricky. A newborn would be higher risk but under 1 year old is not advisable to unnecessarily expose

i would keep her away if possible .
Then when she is one year old you can get her a chicken pox vaccine (it’s not on the nhs sadly but it’s worth it I think)

Please, stay away if you can. I didn’t realise the viral load would be worse (I know!) and had my four year old all over my six month old. She got it soooo badly
I felt horrendous!

The consensus seems to be the keep away. I don’t know we’ll manage this when DH goes to work on Monday. This is so hard.

I wouldn't bother to stay away.
DD had CP at < 4 months, btw. Easy bout.

It's not always easy though.

I would isolate because you can, but if she is struggling without you then be open to changing your mind.

My second was extremely unwell with CP because he was exposed to it from his brother so I would try and keep
away, as hard as that is 💐

If she’s with you most of the time, it’s likely you were both exposed to the original source anyway. If she’s already been exposed to you as well and you know she’s going to be exposed from Monday, there’s not really much you can do. You can catch it just from being in the same room as someone else- you’re in the same house. I say just give her a cuddle. Likelihood is that she’s already been exposed.

Also, wish to say: sending hugs. I know it’s not easy xx

I'd say isolate whilst you can but that there isn't really anything you can do about next week when your husband cant be there so don't feel guilty if it's not going to be possible for you then. The likelihood is, even if your DC gets CP, that they will be fine.

It is unfortunately, just one of those things, if there's no one else to look after her at home then you will have to. It's not possible for every parent to isolate from their children whenever they are ill. She is very likely to be fine if she does get it, there's nothing you can do.

Thanks all for your advice and well wishes. I’m going to be as hands off as possible while H is here to try to reduce the viral load, and try to avoid her having direct contact with the actual sores on Monday when I need to look after her. Very sad. But needs must. I am SO ill, if your DC haven’t had the blood pox by 10 or so, based on my awful experience, I’d say get them jabbed. If my poor baby avoids it this time I’m getting her jabbed as soon as she’s 1.

*bloody pox!