AIBU to take child with chicken pox to an outside event today?

[summerlovingvibes]

Husband has one opinion and I have another. WWYD?

Day 5 of chicken pox for oldest child.
I have 2 other younger children with no signs as yet. But neither have had in the past so probably will get it.

Some scabs starting to form but also still some fresh spots.

Today is booked to go to an outside running event (for kids) this afternoon and we have paid £60 total for this with all children. It was booked mainly for the oldest one who loves to run, but the younger ones will also come and enjoy so I had to buy tickets for all. Outside run with parents, refreshments, few little stalls etc.

Unfortunately oldest one knows about event and has been excited all week - told him about it 2 days before CP started so didn't know to withhold the info.

Would you still take him? Planning on going just for the run, will try to avoid being too close to others. Don't know any other children / parents going so not going to be "chit chatting". Won't go to the stalls / mix and mingle. Will do run then leave.

Husband has one opinion and I have another. WWYD?

I know it's often seen as an old people thing.
But I've known people in 20s and 40s but the 10 year old kid was a shock!

Well that’s assuming they think having the chicken pox is a good idea. It’s not mandatory. No more than it is to have the flu or the covid jab as an adult for example…..

Each parent will make a decision based on their own circumstances

In my view, it would be extremely selfish to go.

Don’t go. My grandad had chicken pox on both eardrums as a child which left him deaf for his whole life. You shouldn’t risk other peoples’ children.

@Clementorangeade that’s interesting-thanks. Personally I think it should be included in the uk schedule- private vaccination is the worst of both worlds.

Well of course. It’s not mandatory. I was responding to the “seriously? Check your privilege, do some thinking” comment.

The suggestion that the vaccination is something only privileged parents can afford if they want it is ludicrous. If you are planning several children and want them vaccinated then you should prepare for that.

That is an entirely different scenario and this is one that can be avoided. The child with the pox is the one who would be running. They can't do that in isolation. It's entirely selfish and antisocial to even be considering it just so the child isn't disappointed.

Are you sure that wasn't measles ?

Never heard of chickenpox leaving permanent damage. That's why chickenpox vaccine isn't high priority where measles is, measles can also kill.

Chickenpox can cause permanent damage. Look it up.

No you can't, hard to avoid being near people in the hustle and bustle let alone the race itself, its disappointing but we've all been there as kids missing things due to illness. It doesn't last forever and there'll be other runs to do.

After 5days the child isn't likely to still be infectious.
I can see the temptation to go. But try to keep distance.

Late to the thread, but just no.. dangerous to people in late stages of pregnancy (if they are not immune), dangerous to newborns, dangerous to those who are on immune suppressants (organ transplant recipients, those with auto immune disease who take things like methotrexate), those having chemo. Anyone who is already vulnerable.

Nearly 50 years ago when I was in primary school the teacher asked if any of us had recently had it (or anything else - pre MMR) as a little boy who was having treatment for Leukaemia was allowed back in school briefly.. this isn't new information.

How can a child lining up to run a race keep their distance from other children?

Perhaps the pregnant woman will have had chickenpox already otherwise she is at risk of getting it from their own children

I've looked up two sites and don't see anything about permanent damage to hearing.

I stand by what I said its more likely to have been measles that causes hearing loss.

If you are that much at risk should you be going to crowded places - who knows what could be going round

It is a live vaccine.

Exactly, esp since loads of viruses are infectious before people know about them.

People have long term conditions that they have to manage, you suggest they all stay home whilst people with infectious diseases ignore NHS advice about waiting for spots to scab over?

Look it up.

I've never 'met' anybody else who can't keep hold of rubella antibodies! And nobody ever believes me. I had to have the MMR after every child!

The timing sucks and it is disappointing but you just can't. I know it is your DH thinking you can go not you. 2 of my dc had chicken pox together, were a bit ill, watched a lot of TV and that was that. I thought it was a mild childhood illness and best to get it over with.

Then a few years later dc3 got it, was very ill and hospitalised. From OOH gp up to the children's ward and started on IVs was a matter of moments. He is fine but had follow up due to spots in his eyes and has scars all over his body and face and will have them for life I expect because it is over 10 years now since he had it and they are still very visible.

I will never again see it as a mild illness and right of passage.

So just stay at home forever? No education? No job?

And what about pregnant women? Should we just stay at home for 9 months when we're pregnant in case someone has chicken pox?

Or how about the people with chicken pox stay home for a week?

Two private vaccinations for each child - in this economic climate.
It will be available on NHS soon - unfortunately the NHS budget people have to decide between chicken pox vaccination and introduction of the new breast cancer treatment which could help 1000 adults.
I would go and keep my distance (as I did when DC 1 returned to school while DC2 had the spots)