How long is chicken pox contagious for?

[Janey90]

My friend's daughter came down with chicken pox last Wednesday (25 March). I'm due to see this friend next Wednesday (1 April) minus her daughter, but could she still be carrying chicken pox germs? I have no idea how long this is contagious for?

I think it's contagious until the spots form scabs (yuck). Not sure about how long close contacts would be infectious for.

Until the last spot scabs over and no more are coming out. Can be 7 days, can be 14. It was about 12 for us. There’s a good chance she’d still be contagious

Contagious from 1-2 days before you know you have it/rash. Then 5 days after rash appears or if the spots come out over several days, 5 days after the last spots appear. Normally they appear over short time 1-2 days.

There is an incubation period of 21 days, so if she is bringing an unaffected sibling or she has never had them then she could be contagious.

If you’ve had them before then unless you are significantly immunocompromised I’d not be concerned.

What you said about how long it’s contagious for is incorrect. It’s after all spots have formed and fully scabbed over.

Sorry to sound dense - so does this mean I'm ok to see my friend next Wednesday (she won't be bringing her daughter) or is it best to rearrange? I don't want to be ill, or pass anything onto DH, over Easter.

Does your friend have chickenpox? Has she had it before? If she’s not got it or likely to in incubating it then why wouldn’t you be able to meet her?

Well that's why I posted - obviously if she does go down with chicken pox, then I won't be meeting up with her, but I'm not sure if she could still be a carrier (if that's the right word) by next Wednesday

Hence why I asked if she’s had chicken pox before?

Also have you had it? Are you immunocompromised?

Have you not had chicken pox? Or your friend? If she's had it before she won't get it again and can't pass it on. If you've had it before you won't get it from her even if she has caught it now. Pretty unusual to be an adult who hasn't ever had it.

You need to find out from your friend if she has had chicken pox before, the chances are she has so will have immunity from it.

You also need to consider things such as, have you had chicken pox before? Do you live with young babies and children or around pregnant woman a lot.

I have definitely had chicken pox before, I was about 14 and it was horrible. So does this mean I'm unlikely to get it again? I am not immuno-compromised and neither is DH

It’s very unlikely. You still need to no if she’s had it before or not though if you are anxious

Yes, I’m surprised you haven’t heard of it but it is very very uncommon to get it again once you’ve already had it! You should be fine x

You'll be fine. I wouldn't have thought twice about this or seeing her daughter yourself.

Thank you everyone, I feel reassured now!

DS developed CP 21 days after his brother, just when I thought he wasn’t going to get it!