to take my chicken poxed child out?

[Chickenpoxmama]

Dh thinks I was so I want to know what you think.

My toddler has Chicken pox - spots appeared Tuesday. Dh did two days working at home and now I've taken leave. The days dh did at home I was able to take older child to school but dh couldn't do that today because of getting in to work. So I put toddler in pushchair and took her, keeping well away from everybody. (dh fine with that bit) then we proceeded to a nearby supermarket to buy a few bits - newspaper for me, chocolate buttons for toddler, stuff to make older child's birthday cake, fruit, fresh bread. The supermarket was nearly empty, toddler in pushchair at all times, I kept at least 2 feet and mostly 3 feet away from people. I didn't go to the deli counter because there was an elderly couple there just in case and I asked the checkout lady if she'd had CP before handing her the magazine toddler held all the way round. She had. Toddler is not coughing or sneezing and obviously I didn't let her touch anything or anybody except her magazine (which she is so thrilled with ) So aibu?

Betty I hope you are ok. How worrying for you

I had DS2 vaccinated whilst DD was on treatment. TB perfectly H I thought CP vaccines were a bit silly before. I had heard that some preschools in the USA refused entry unless the child was vaccinated and I thought it was over the top.

Of course I feel differently now. CP in itself is usually a mild illness (althought the little girl across the road contracted sepsis and had to be resussed several times). Its what it does to other people that is so alarming. Its not just the odd one or two exceptions. There are loads of people who are put at risk by coming into contact with the virus.

I wasnt given much info about the vaccine before DS was given it. I couldnt take anything in at the time anyway. I think it only lasts about 5 years but I could be wrong.

I am not sure if widespread vaccination is the right way to go. Its really not hard to keep a child in when they are ill. I know its a right pain if you have one infection after another but its still not the end of the world. My DD and DS1 got theirs two weeks before my wedding! My poor friend had a run of swine flu, CP, swine flue, CP over the summer holidays! Can you imagine that.

Bellisima - I did NOT say that I was against vaccinations, my DC's have had all their vaccinations, except DS1 and I have not been given a CP jab as the GP is adamant that it would do no good. I am not against immunisation, in the vast majority of cases it is a very good thing. But that doesn't change the fact that it is important for people to keep their DC's indoors on quarantine whilst suffering with active CP, for those of us that vaccination can't/won't work for. And I'm 'flaming' because this is such am emotive issue for me personally. How would you feel if you had had to go through having a sb baby because someone else wouldn't keep their toddlers at home for a few days??

Bunnyjo-the actual risks of sb through CP are quite minimal. Have you been in contact with CP as a child? If you have been, and only caught it once, chances are that you will be fine. It's more likely in my case because I have had CP repeatedly and have no natural immunity to it. Could you ask your GP to check your medical records to see if you had CP as a child? It may put your mind at rest a little. I was told that there is only really a risk of sb if you have been shown to have no natural immunity to CP as in my case. Hope that helps.

Loudlass - once again please do not imply that I do not keep my children at home when I know that they have an infectious disease. I do. Unfortunately, as mumNW says, they are most infectious before the spots come out - that's how you are most likely to catch it, from those unaware they have it. I know that some people have no natural immunity to CP and that if that extends to other viruses in the same family they have to take extra precautions vis a vis all herpes viruses - I had a friend at college who was in that situation. I object to the in bold 'how would you feel?' as if I personally put anyone at risk - please read my postings more carefully I can assure you I take pains not to put at-risk persons in any danger.

OK point taken, but the 'you' wasn't aimed at you personally, but as a you in general, IYSWIM. Didn't get that across too well, on re-reading though.

And yes, I do have to be more careful with all herpetiform viruses(? is that the correct plural? Viruii??!)

Okay I apologise too Loudlass. sorry.

Good luck for today Bettybutterknife I really hope the blood test shows immunity.

Loudlass the doctors do not know the answer yet. My mum believes I wasn't exposed to cp as a child, but my immunity test came back as showing positive immunity. The best advice the GP could offer was to say that although I had immunity present it may have been at a low level and therefore I still contracted cp. He also went on to say it is possible to contract cp more than once, even if you do show immunity to it. I could be a little like you, one of the unlucky ones that will contract cp when exposed as my immunity to it will always be poor (but will always show up as positive vzv immunity on a test). I guess the only way I will ever find out is by being exposed to vzv again and seeing if I develop cp. I'd rather not do that, but I'm sure having a child aged 2, that I am bound to come into contact with cp again at some point!

Thanks Bunnyjo. My test showed immunity so I have to keep my fingers crossed that it's high immunity - as you say, it's possible to contract cp again. My brother did, which does worry me. Thanks.