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Original poster

Chicken Pox - when your children catch it from each other - how long was it for you?

29 replies

gladis · 26/10/2010 14:47

If both your children had the chicken pox and one caught it from the other, how long was it before the second one's spots appeared?

-to explain more fully----

My 4yr old daughter's first chicken pox appeared Thursday 21st, the last ones on Saturday morning, she was very sick over the weekend and they have all now crusted over.

I have a 16month old son who has played closely with my daughter all this time and from what I've read, is highly likely to catch it. He is a bit off colour today but it could just be teething, and he is still recovering from a nasty virus.

The websites say that a child is contageous from 1 - 5 days before the spots appear until they crust over. I read that the child they spread it to will have spots appear anywhere from 10-20 days afterwards.

That means daughter was contageous from 16th Oct - 25th Oct, therefore son could possibly come down with it between 26th Oct - 14th November.

As I have lots planned for the coming week - it is my husband's 50th birthday and I have organised some lovely things, I would be so grateful for any idea of what the 'average' time frame is for children who play closely.

If both your children had the chicken pox and one caught it from the other, how long was it between your children's spots appearing?

Thank you.

OP posts:
ragged · 26/10/2010 14:49

13-14 days. 2 occasions of sibling transfer.

chocolateorange · 26/10/2010 14:54

2 weeks to the day

ledodgy · 26/10/2010 14:56

10 days.

escorchio · 26/10/2010 14:57

2 weeks to the day, from DD1 to DD2, then DD2 to DD3 (then one week old!)

Seona1973 · 26/10/2010 15:36

it was about 15 days for ds to come out in spots after dd

MNTotoro · 26/10/2010 15:37

2 weeks to the hour!!!!

throckenholt · 26/10/2010 15:46

hmm - I think mine buck the trend - I think it was a week with mine - DS1 got it first and then twins got it a week later (much worse too).

welshandproud · 26/10/2010 15:57

As a teacher IME about 10days to 2 weeks. I'm dreading the epidemic that will hit us at some time. I have 3 under 4 and none of them have had it yet!

mankyscotslass · 26/10/2010 15:58

2 weeks between eldest to my dd, then 3 weeks till littlest cam out in spots!

TheOriginalNutcracker · 26/10/2010 16:01

2 weeks here aswell.

bumpybecky · 26/10/2010 16:03

2 weeks both times (dd1 to dd2, then dd3 to ds)

4andnotout · 26/10/2010 16:07

2 weeks between each, so for 6 weeks I was stuck indoors with miserable children!

ProfessorLaytonIsMyZombieSlave · 26/10/2010 16:08

2 weeks exactly.

Sidge · 26/10/2010 16:25

3 weeks to the day for us.

bruffin · 26/10/2010 16:44

2 weeks

asdx2 · 26/10/2010 16:57

two weeks each time so it was ten weeks before my four had all had it (plus dh) and recovered. My fifth child has so far had it twice, first mildly and then not so mildly. I'm hoping we are now done with CP.

phonix · 26/10/2010 22:54

exactly 2 weeks.

Original poster
gladis · 26/10/2010 23:00

The response is fantastic. Thanks so much for all this really helpful information. It sounds like in 90% of cases it is 2 weeks. If so, then my son should come down with it 48 hours after our big evening out. But at least I am know it is coming, so I'm prepared for it.

My heart goes out to asdx2 and 4andnotout. It must have felt like it was going on forever!

As you all know it was coming for their sibling, did anyone notice them slowly go downhill beforehand, or were they perfectly fine for the two weeks, and then suddenly 'boom' spots and feeling poorly?

OP posts:
Original poster
gladis · 26/10/2010 23:00

Sorry, that should read 'as you all knew.....'

OP posts:
sandyballs · 26/10/2010 23:02

2 weeks

sandyballs · 26/10/2010 23:03

Meant to add DD1 was very poorly, covered in spots all over, DD2, two weeks later, had about six spots and sailed through it.

ProfessorLaytonIsMyZombieSlave · 27/10/2010 07:11

Fine and then "boom" in our case.

MNTotoro · 27/10/2010 16:45

I found DD1 got it really quickly. Spots started at lunchtime, she had loads by the evening and her 2nd evening was the worst. She started to pick up by day 3-4.

DD2 (who caught it from DD2) had it worse. Her spots also started at lunchtime but they kep on coming and coming and coming for 3-5 days. Her worst time was days 3-5.

I have heard that if you catch it from a sibling it is worse, and that was true in our case, but I am not sure if it is the norm.

Original poster
gladis · 27/10/2010 17:45

Yes, with my daughter the spots all appeared within 24 hours. The second night was absolutely terrible (2 hours sleep was all she could manage), however the next day they were crusting over and she seemed better. Day 4 the sparkle had returned to her eyes and they had all crusted over.

Day 7 now - she is still tired and resting, and cries if I suggest going too far from home, but compared to my 1yr old's colds and teething, it was fairly easy.

She hasn't found the spots itchy after Day 3 and so luckily isn't picking at them.

OP posts:
littleducks · 27/10/2010 18:00

" weeks