WIBU to take DS out and about - chickenpox related

[SambucusEbulus]

DS has stupidly not been vaccinated for chickenpox and has never had it, to my knowledge. Two weeks ago, he shared a tent for five days with a boy who broke out in chickenpox spots the evening they came home.

DS hasn't got it...yet. We've been staying home since.
There's an event he really really wants to go to that would be happening on day 18 after his last contact with that boy. It's a family event, so lots of other kids and their parents.

Would it be really irresponsible to take him to the event, presuming he doesn't show symptoms in between times?

YABU could severely injure a newborn or premature baby

With no symptoms at all I think that would be fine, while it is highly contagious, not everyone catches it after contact. However, the slightest symptom and I wouldn't bring him

If he hasn't got any spots carry on as normal, incubation period is 2 weeks usually

He would have been expected to attend school etc if had been term time. You can't stay home every time you are exposed to illness.

You say stupidly like it's his fault.

2 weeks ago? He would’ve developed it by now. I think you’re highly unusual to isolate for 2 weeks in case he had it

More than 2 weeks after contact and he doesn’t have any spots… you are fine to take him

Of course not. It's been over 2 weeks and he has no symptoms.

You can carry on as usual unless he gets symptoms

Incubation period is 10-21 days so he could still develop CP

I honestly think it would be irresponsible, yes. Your son was exposed at the exact time the other child was most infectious, just before the spots appear.

Anyway, I suspect that the decision might become very clear in the next day or so, as the incubation period for chicken pox is about two weeks.

It is really, really infectious btw. I was at my NCT group back in the day with DC1 aged two. One little boy had a few spots on his neck, confirmed next day as chicken pox. Two weeks later, seven out of the other nine two year olds in the room had it, and the other two (including my 8 month old DS2) caught it from their siblings two weeks after that.

It's not worth the risk to others who might be vulnerable.

How? 18 days after contact, with no symptoms?

Also, you don't mention how old, but if late Primary/Secondary there is a good chance he hS had mild CP in the past and has built up immunity.

It’s weird you say it like it’s his fault.

Chickenpox takes 10- 21 days to develop after exposure. It's also most contagious 2 day's before the spots appear and then until all the blisters have cleared up. I wouldn't have stayed home for weeks but I would avoid places where vulnerable people are like pregnant people, babies or the elderly. I wouldn't go to a big family function especially if I actually like my family.

Not his fault, mine. I should have got him vaccinated and i didn't. I'm mad at myself.

I think it’s ok as long as there are no symptoms. I’d be very alert for the symptoms though.

As a child I spent my holidays with a cousin who had CP, together 24/7, playing together and sleeping in the same room. They isolated us when he developed symptoms. I didn’t get it, so everyone assumed I was immune, and then I got it 10 years later.

That's what I thought 😂

Google says this..

Symptoms
The rash caused by chickenpox appears 10 to 21 days after you're exposed to the varicella-zoster virus. The rash often lasts about 5 to 10 days. Other symptoms that may appear 1 to 2 days before the rash include:

• Fever.
• Loss of appetite.
• Headache.
• Tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell.

So if still no symptoms before the event then I'd take him. But if he does then obviously stay at home.

Depends. How long is the incubation period? I’d say you were being unreasonable if the party was the day after he’d been in contact with chickenpox kid but if you’re well past the incubation period then go for it.

Are you going to isolate him for the rest of his life? Children are infectious all the time without knowing, if he was at school he would have to attend.

Its been 2 weeks, hes fine stop punishing the poor boy as your going to make him afraid of germs.

People with premature babies are cautious anyway, people with newborns are also cautious. Maybe just dont hand him a vulnerable baby?

Both boys are 10.

And im not blaming either of them, I'm only mad at myself for not getting him vaccinated before this!

Well the incubation period is up to 21 days. I don't think you should feel bad about not getting him vaccinated as it is usually a mild illness in children

It’s fine OP, you can’t keep him isolated just in case. My DS was exposed to chickenpox so many times at nursery/pre-school but escaped it each time. I didn’t isolate him every time there was an outbreak, I just remained vigilant for signs/symptoms. He eventually got it age 5.

Good grief why were you staying home anyway? Would you have kept him off school?

And until recently it wasn't on the NHS programme anyway.