To think that if your DC has chickenpox, then you shouldn't take them swimming?

[Whoamireally]

I trooped to the swimming pool today with 9 month old DD2 (having clearly forgotten since the first time around how much hassle it is to take a baby for a paddle) and in the baby pool splashing about is a boy of maybe 2 or 3 with full blown chickenpox, bright red spots that didn't look at all scabbed over.

I said 'Excuse me, hope you don't mind me asking, but is your son still at the contagious stage?' to which his mum says 'Oh no, not for AGES' , but she then proceeds to bellow at him to come away every time he goes anywhere near another child or either of the two pregnant women sat there with their babies, which makes me think this was a blatant lie. You are still a bit contagious in the early, very spotty stage, no?

Now, DD1 has had CP, and I am not precious about DD2 getting it as they all will sooner or later, but there's a difference between that and deliberately putting them in a situation where you are exposing them to CP.

I also know how hard it is when you are trying to entertain an obviously boisterous child who, despite the spots, feels well in themselves - but surely, if you knew that there was a chance your child could pass it on then you'd just get the Aquadraw and a few jigsaws out and make them run laps of the house, and keep them out of the way of other children for a bit? Or AIBU?

I think it's terrible that the option for immunisation against cp isn't offered in the uk, the we wouldn't be having this conversation, like we never have a thread about measles or rubella (I mean not in the context of "should I take my child out?"). CP, alhtough usually harmless, is potentially fatal, and I don't understand who took upon themselves to decide that it's not as dangerous as, say, whooping cough.

I'm not trying to turn this into a pro/against immunisation convo, I just think that the OPTION should be offered for people to make an informed choice, like in most european countries.

Oh lordy, didn't even think about the scabs falling off in the pool!

Can you pay to have the jab done here privately? And is this jab the norm elsewhere then gobsmackedmetal?

I don't know if you can do it privately in the uk, i would imagine yes as it is routinely given to "high risk groups"like health professionals (or so I've been told by my sil who's a midwife. she's also an idiot though so don't know if it's true).
Shouldn't have said european there, I know it's routinely done in the states, oz and canada, and I have friends in greece and italy who get it as a quadriple jab (MMR+varicella). Have lived in germany and it was offered there as part of the programme.

YANBU
I'd be furious. DD1 is very vulnerable to infection at the moment following chemotherapy. CP is one virus that that she has to avoid contact with. If she does come into contact she has to have the vaccination within 72 hours.

If a child is ill, with anything contagious, please keep them at home! As yes, I do know how difficult it is to entertain an ill child - we're 2 and a half weeks into a month or more of isolation at the moment... with a four year old! [goingslightlyroundthetwistemoticon]

I took her to see a nursery school a few weeks ago and they had a sign on their door about having a case of CP - we carried on walking past and went home. I wish more places would be this vigilant.

I think, correct me if I'm wrong, that we don't routinely vaccinate against cp because the vaccination wears off after a few years, it's not lifetime immunity where having cp is lifetime immunity (in the majority of cases, not true for all I know). And cp for most children is mild but as an adult it's not the case at all. You don't want the vaccination wearing off as you hit adulthood, especially as you hit fertility and childbearing.

Totally disgusting to take them swimming.

However most contagious before spots actually come out, my Dad (a GP) sent me back to school when I still had ones on my legs on the basis I was wearing tights and only really infectious to the touch by that point - and besides whole school infected by then .

I probably would take a baby or small child out if in buggy with raincover on for essential trips so couldn't touch or breathe on anyone but swimming????

yuck re: ringworm.

But its hard if your DC has something contagious - eg DD had molluscum and her nursery kept on trying to send her home, as it was on her fingers and plasters wouldn't stay on - tried to explain that she'd have them for months and months so did they want me to pull her out of nursery altogher - although NHS wesbite says affected children CAN attend school.

CP is obviously more short term problem.

ShowOfHands - catching it doesn't always make you immune. I had it twice, as did my sister. When I tell people that, they've usually heard of someone else who had it multiple times, though it isn't all that common. They're still not sure why some people get it more than once and others don't.

DS had it in November, and we kept him housebound until most of them were gone, but did have to briefly nip to the shops for supplies, keeping him well wrapped up. He did have the marks as red spots for quite a while afterward, but anyone looking could see they were just scars. Slightly worried that when DC2 arrives (it's on the way now) and eventually gets it that DS will catch it again, but hopefully that won't happen.

TottWriter, I know that's why I said the majority only get it once, not true for all. I've also had it twice.