Chickenpox questions

[niamh29]

my DD2 who is 20 months has chickenpox, just got spots out of the blue today, she seems in good form, will it get worse?? We were supposed to be going away for the weekend and we're worried if she gets sicker should we just stay put?

I'm also worried for my DD3 whos only 4 weeks old, should I just evacuate with her and let DH mind the other two??? Or is it too late cause she's already been exposed for the past few days, I haven't dealt with chickenpox before so I don't know much about them.

Wish I could help niamh - my DD is just under a year old and came out in spots yesterday. Had about six in the morning, lots more in the evening and was completely covered by this morning. She's absolutely fine in herself so far (touch wood - or rather grip on to it for dear life), the doctor said she'd get waves of spots but should be OK in a week, and that it would probably have no more effect on her than a cold.

Apparently it's contagious for a week before and 5-7 days after the spots appear, so sadly your DD3 has probably been exposed already. Might be worth contacting your HV or GP for advice as not sure if you need to do anything extra for really teeny ones.

Will be watching this one with interest! Good luck!

It might not be chicken pox. If the spots largen and become fluid filled like blisters, then its chicken pox. The 4 week old will probably not catch it as they still have antibodies in their system from being in the womb and will have antibodies if you're breastfeeding. My nephew caught it at 14 weeks, the doctor said it was 50/50 as the antibodies are present up until about 12 weeks.

It depends on where you are going away, if you are going to a relative just warn them. If you are going to a hotel, then I wouldn't go if it's pox as it can be passed on to vulnerable people like the elderly, pregnant women or people with an immune defiency. The hotel wouldn't like you bringing a child with a contagious illness.

If it's pox, you'll know by tomorrow morning when the spots turn to blisters. Hope it doesn't spoil your weekend. My DD (4) has it at the moment, you have my sympathy.

My ds (2.6) has it, just confirmed by doc, and is his usual bouncy self. Doc said this was the best possible age to get it - but not to go anywhere with children or vulnerable people until Tues, so we're stuck in the garden for the next few days. Bored already...

I know the incubation period is about 3 weeks, so if the baby has caught it then it won't show for a while. Also there are antivirals that can be given to vulnerable people so phone the GP?

Thanks for the advice, I've taken my youngest to my
Mothers for a couple of days and DH has the other two, I know that when we go back there could still be a risk but just doing what we can. We're not near anyone who would be vulnerable so will do our best to stay away from people who haven't had it, very hard on the other two in this lovely weather, being stuck indoors or the garden. DD2 who has the pox is taking it pretty well, just a little crusty so that's good!