My Au Pair might have Chicken Pox

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She feels great, but has developed a strange rash in her face (that could be zits tbh) and on her upper body, and it is itching. She has never had CP.

I just sent her off to nursery to pick up my youngest.

Now, if she has CP, and feels fine, I guess, I should keep her away from the other kids in the nursery?

What do you reckon is best practice?

I think, off to the docs with her tomorrow just in case, but, oh dear oh dear. My youngest have not had it, and we are off to fly out on Christmas holiday in 3 weeks.... I can see the sky tumble down on us now... Am I catastrophic?

if she has CP she shouldn't be in contact with other children. And because she is an adult, unfortunately she may be more ill due to the chicken pox.

Hopefully, if she does have it, your children will develop it within the next two weeks, and it's usually over in five or six days, so you should hopefully be fine for your holidays.

But firstly she needs a diagnosis!

If she has, you may be inundated with offers of tea parties from other parents!

It doesn't YET sounds like CP, not that I'm an expert. Most people feel rough before the appearance of the first spot, especially adults. Are they blistering? They also tend to cluster in hot areas.

Maybe she's just spotty!!! I dont think I'd be worrying just yet.

Does not sound like chicken pox as adults tend to be very unwelll with it. If it is she will still be infectious until the last spot has scabbed over. If its face and upper body - has she changed creams, body lotions or shampoos?

She has had a cold the last few days, but felt on top form, just a blocked nose. The spots are itchy, but not in clusters, there are a few on her face, and a few on her upper body.

We had a really strange meal yesterday, with a spicy dahl, pilau rice, grilled chicken, vegetables and a Bernaise sauce. (please dont say anything, I was trying to cater for all the different palates in the house) Could be a reaction to unfamiliar spices?

I will ask about her shampoos and lotions.

Mmmmmmm. Sounds like CP to me QS - me being a bit of an expert in that area at the moment, as you know!

Hopefully I'm wrong but if an adult gets CP for the first time it is normally called shingles and can be quite nasty.

When dd2 had CP a couple of weeks ago her spots popped up in different places - NOT in clusters and yes they itched a lot. Her first ones appeared on her trunk - tummy and back.

If she does have CP yes keep her away from other kids but remember she was infectious before the spots appeared.

Good luck! xx

'Hopefully I'm wrong but if an adult gets CP for the first time it is normally called shingles and can be quite nasty. '

that's not quite correct. If an adult gets chicken pox it is called chicken pox and it is often be nasty.

Anyone who has had chicken pox can develop shingles. It can be nasty, or it can be mild. It is usually confirmed to one area of the body - a rash around the waist is most common.

I got that wrong then didn't I??!!!!!!

Thats right. When my oldest got CP (3 years ago), it was from my dh, who had shingles. Which means, that if she has CP, my youngest can get CP and my dh can get a shingles repaet?

However, now I am itching. I have no rash, but we are both itching and she itches like mad on her arms, but have no spots on her arms. I have immunity against CP. We BOTH have eaten a copious amount of ginger biscoti from Ikea, though.... I gave her some Piriton, and that seems to have helped.

It is a mystery.

you can catch chicken pox from shingles (although this is unusual as you have to come into direct contact with the shingles rash to catch CP from it)

You can't catch shingles from CP. You can develop shingles if you have previously had CP, and you develop shingles if you are run down and your immunity is lowered. The virus which is laying dormant in your body then takes advantage of the fact that you're run down, and causes shingles to develop.

You can also catch CP twice if you only had mildly the first time and you were quite young.

Piuh! Rash and itchyness gone today!

I had CP for the first time aged 20 when I was a nanny

And it was Christmas time

I was very ill and very spotty

I have just seen you last post

Glad panic over

Phew....