to take my chickenpoxy newborn out shopping?

[TessOfTheDullvilles]

She's 3 weeks old, has mild chickenpox (diagnosed by GP), doesn't seem ill at all except for the spots. I'm going mad stuck in the house all the time - is it OK to go to a shopping centre with her or is it really that contagious?

TBH I wouldn't go to a busy shopping centre but the chances of your baby passing anything on is very small unless a person comes into very close proximity e.g. someone picks her up and gives her a kiss!
Most diseases are passed on through water droplets from coughs and sneezes being inhaled and don't just float around in the air. If they did, we'd all be continually ill and the immuno compromised that are out and about in shopping centres (?!) wouldn't stand a chance!

Chickenpox is an airborne virus though so one can catch it without being in close proximity to the infected person.

I don't know whom my ds caught chicken pox from but he was ill for 6 weeks and was very nearly hospitalised. If I saw someone out with a child who was clearly contagious I would say something. I think YABVVU.

And we are constantly bombarded with microorganisms but generally our immune systems are healthy and active enough to fight off the majority of viruses, however that isn't so for the immunocompromised.

Therefore I think it's our duty to others,particuarly the immunocompromised,to try to limit their exposure to viruses.

I think the general advice given to the immunocompromised is to stay away from crowded places such as shopping centres and cinemas. Many diseases are contageous long before symptoms are known so it isn't possible to 'limit' anyones exposure. We all have to take responsibility for our own health.

So they have to stay in all the time then?

It isn't always possible for them to stay in,they do have lives to lead.

We do have some responsibility towards each other I believe. And there's a world of difference between going out in public when you're unaware that you are carrying a virus, and going out when you know that you or your dc are carrying an infectious disease.

I'm sure that the immucompromised do take precautions to protect their own health,but why shouldn't we make it easier for them and for others by avoiding public places when we are carrying viruses?

Yes it's an inconvenience but I think it's much more reasonable to expect people to avoid supermarkets,play areas etc just for the length of an illness, than it is to expect people with compromised immune systems to never go out.

PS None of what I just said was directed at the OP.

Totally unreasonable to take her out knowing that she has chickenpox.

Have you any paint and paper at home? Could you make a card using the dcs footprints?

I think it is highly unlikely someone could catch chicken pox just by walking past your baby in her pram but I would not risk it, personally. Not fair on others.

No, not stay in all the time, just avoid places at crowded times like cinemas and shopping centres. That is the current advice for those undergoing chemo.

As I think we've all said, taking a child with chicken pox to a shopping centre isn't a good idea and in an ideal world, those with an illness would stay at home for entire duration. However we know that this will never be the case and we should protect ourselves acordingly.

I'd imagine that the majority of people with compromised immune systems do avoid those places when possible, but supermarkets are rather different.

I see no reason why people can't and shouldn't avoid public places for their lenth of their illness, unless they have absolutely no other choice but to go to the supermarket for supplies, and even then precautions should be taken.

I'm also quite sure that people with compromised immune systems do take precautions, but in addition why can't we also try to make things easier for them by being considerate and avoiding public places while carrying an infection.

It is annoying to have to stay away from such places of course but I'd rather do that than possibly land someone in hospital because I insisted on going out.

for the first year post transplant, that was the advice for dh. but i do think people need to help by not going out when ill or contagious.

he had a transplant to live a life, not live in a bubble.

My dp is on immune suppresants too so isn't good for him.

its ok

YABU if you do until it is definately not contagious. I am sick of seeing (still infectious)CP kids everywhere, it is so selfish and can be dangerous to alot of people. I also don't want my baby DS to get it till he is older and often have to do about turns in shops, librarys and even the baby clinic (amazing how many people stroll in to the HV with their spotty babies'oh is this cp?' surrounded by pregnant mums and new babies!!)

My older DS was very ill with it and had it in his eyes etc. IMO it is mean and selfish to take infectious kids out. Especially if it is for non essential stuff. I was bored out my mind staying in for 3 weeks when my DDs got it one after the other but I did it. If DS gets it, I will also be staying in, if I had to go out I would put the raincover on him etc or go late/early to school etc.

Oh my goodness, is she OK? CP is supposed to be really bad for newborns. Anyway, are the spots scabbing over? In which case she is probably no longer contagious. And unless people are putting their heads right inside the pushchair or sling, they'll not run too much risk of catching it from her.

Try Amazon next day delivery for presents?

Duchesse: she's fine - thanks for asking! I know chickenpox can have serious complications for newborns so I was quite worried about her catching it, especially as she was low birthweight. However the GP's had a look at her and says she'll probably get it quite mildly as she'll have quite a bit of resistance from me. A few spots have scabbed over but it's a bit hard to tell what c'pox and what's milk rash (which she has quite badly). I think by the weekend she won't be contagious any more, so not long now!

And don't worry everyone, I haven't been out shopping and DH has a homemade anniverary card.