To take child out with chickenpox

[10thlittlemonkey]

DD age 3 had chickenpox. Today is day 7 since they first appeared. She's loved the multiple pyjamas days but we are starting to go stir crazy! She had new spots appear yesterday overnight and I'm not sure any of us can handle another 5 days cooped up indoors. Other than spots she's here usual self (ball of energy!) I was thinking to go out for a walk along the river. Maybe grab a quick take away coffee and cake and perch somewhere outdoors. Thinking 'covid social distancing' style rules would apply here for our own sanity surely?
AIBU?

You know your child is a risk.

Are you actually trying to justify you choosing to bringing your child out into an occupied public space?

My son wasn't.

Absolutely would have in November when the catch up vaccines start for 3yo!
Generally- before starting chemotherapy or having a transplant patients recieve a vaccine if they have not had chickenpox before

Not going for a walk, surely?

My child is absolutely vaccinated and when she had her MMR the day before chickenpox became available on NHS) we were told to come back in November as part of the catch up program.
I was not aware it was available until this was mentioned.
Happily looking after her (at home or outside whatever we decide to do today!)... although she isn't very sick just spotty

Just to pick up on this specifically, because its something many people don't realise and it comes up a lot...

No, not necessarily. And - and this is the bigger issue - even if they do, it doesn't follow that it confers a normal (or even any) level of protection.

Someone with a compromised immune system can have far more going on than just an inability to defend against infection. They can also lack the ability to 'learn' new viruses - which means immunisations don't work well, or at all. In fact, if your immune system can't identify the threat and react to it, it isn't going to learn it.

Too, there are illnesses and treatments which wipe ALL acquired immunity, so that it has to build back up from scratch - bone marrow transplant, for example. They can often be rejabbed, but it takes time for the system to come back online, as it were, and they can't all be done at once. I've seen revax schedules for people lasting over 2 years, with real restrictions on their lives while it happens. No hotels, no crowds, no public transport - an outdoor coffee cart in the middle of a walk is exactly the sort of place they would go.

It isn't expected that the general public understand the ins and outs of all that, or even really think about it. Instead, we set reasonable general guidelines to help to act as a compromise. For chicken pox, that's stay away from other people while spotty.

Appreciate you taking the time to explain the detail of this.

I think it’s fine as long as you don’t take her anywhere indoors. Just for a walk, not somewhere that’s busy. My ds7 was off school with a vomiting bug on Friday, I still had to take him to pick up ds10. I needed a few things from a shop so I sent ds10 in and waited outside with ds7.

If you’re not going near people it’s fine!

OP only on MN do people endorse keeping children with CP in a cage for 'as long as it takes'.

Obviously lighthearted.
Get that poor kid out in the fresh air! Of course a woodland walk just the two of you is fine.

This!

People like the OP are the reason I spent most on January in hospital with complications from shingles.

No one cares about anyone other than themselves these days. You know it's wrong or you wouldn't be asking here. I doubt you will listen to any advice and do whatever suits your needs anyway.

I really do hope that the OP never has to deal with vulnerable family member in the future like myself and your FIL. It's so disheartening having to rely on others to do the right thing to keep us safe.

Some of you must live in very crowded places. I’ve been out for a countryside walk with my toddler this morning and we didn’t even see another person. We splashed in puddles and threw sticks in a stream and waved at sheep. OP if you have wide open space near you and can avoid play areas and anywhere indoors then go get some fresh air, it’ll be good for all of you.

Sorry to hear if your poor health and hospitalisation.
Just for clarity though- you can't catch shingles from someone chickenpox.
You can catch chickenpox from someone with shingles though.

OP wants a coffee though, and a "perch"
Bit different.

OP, so long as you stay away from everyone else and don’t let child touch gates / others then an outdoor walk would be beneficial for you and them.

yes chicken pox is catching and dangerous to those with poor immune systems or pregnant so be careful!

Only on MN would people suggest staying cooped up inside for weeks on end.

however. Depends where you live. Most of us don’t live near easily accessible countryside so there is a high risk of seeing others.

Best of luck!!

My DS caught chickenpox when he was 3, the night before we were in tesco and bumped into a friend whose child had leukhemia and was immune suppressed, they got into one of the little rides together to play while we were talking.
Next day spots he was covered in CP. I took him to the GP and mentioned the friend. They said tell them straight away. She had to be taken to GOSH for Varicella Zoster Immunoglobulin (VZIG) , this was the 3rd time it had happened to her!
Chicken Pox is still contagious until the spots are crusted over, so i would not risk her going out in public where she may come in contact with other people

Let's not pretend your sorry. If you had even a shred of empathy for people with similar conditions, you wouldn't have made this post.

And you most definitely CAN catch shingles from someone with chicken pox, it shows how little you know and are willing to risk for a bit of fresh air.

I now have permanent liver issues added to the list of life limiting conditions thanks to the parent that couldn't possibly keep their sick child in for a few weeks until no longer contagious. Not to mention the loss in salary and time with my own children.

I'm clearly wasting my breath though as you won't even listen to those that are telling you it's a bad idea. You keep coming back with excuses in favour of your needs.

Let's hope you never have to support a vulnerable family member with your selfish mentality.

I'm not sure that's the case with chicken pox. It is with Rubella but presumably you have been vaccinated.

Let's not pretend your sorry

Agree - if they really were sorry, there wouldn't be any "buts" or clarifications straight after, presumably to try and justify it to themselves.

You are wrong. You cannot catch shingles from someone with chickenpox so it shows how little you know! Shingles is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus that lays dormant in your system until such time that is reactivated and comes out as shingles

chicken pox can be dangerous to an unborn baby if the mother has never had chicken pox.

The unborn baby can develop fetal varicella syndrome which causes serious abnormalities such as brain, bladder and bowel issues.

Do you mean if the unprotected mother catches chicken pox?

Yes.

If she's never had chicken pox and gets it during pregnancy. The baby can be born with FVS.

I don’t think some people get that things are for life as well
i am severely neutropenic permanently so its not like I can stay in - I have to work and go to places and it’s forever not just for a few weeks or months

Take her for a spin in car go through a drive through for a drink and cake please don’t take her outside where she could pass this onto someone else that could have a weak immune system.