When can they go back to school after chicken pox?

[JaneB1rkin]

Ds2 has had it since last Wednesday though was ill for a few days before that. He's fine now but still has some spots that look pretty nasty.

His big brother now has spots which I suppose gets it over with quicker than if he'd waited the proper two weeks

So I have both of them off today. I've emailed the school to ask what their rules are if any, but I'm a bit worried that ds2's spots won't be healed properly even by the end of this week, and that they might get funny with me for keeping him off for too long.

Not sure how healed is healed enough, iyswim? Anyway...going to be an interesting few days filled with brotherly love

Doctor said to me, two weeks after the spots have scabbed over. But as soon as the fever is down, get them outside and away from killing each other!

Oh btw I did get a letter from the school because ds's two weeks off took him under the accepted attendance limit. Annoying but they have to do it. I ignored it, obvs, and so did they after that.

It's as soon as the spots have scabbed over.

I think it's once the spots have crusted over, although I heard recently that some places say you stop being infectious 5 days after the first spots appear.

they are not contagious after the spots have all scabbed over which is normally 5-7 days after the spots appear. (no need to wait 2 weeks!). He should probably be ok by the end of the week and may even make it back to school on thursday/friday if he is scabbing over ok. The Health protection agency says 5 days from onset of rash

Two weeks after the spots scab over? I thought they were not infectious as soon as they scab over?

OP, IME the average time off school is about a week, so no problem keeping your DS2 off for a few days longer.

Good luck with your boys at home - all 3 of mine had it simultaneously last year, that was a fun week!!

Poor you Mrs Pepper! Thanks everyone. Most of the spots are now scabby but he still has a few that aren't - especially one on the bit above his top lip that he keeps licking so it hasn't dried out (yuck!) Also some of the others are quite red and I've been putting Fucidin on them to try and stop them being infected but not sure if it's working at all...

big bro only has two so far on his leg but pretty sure that's what they are. Ho hum. At least it's sunny! We might go to the park and stay away from everyone, if anyone's there as it is also freezing cold.

Thanks again for the links and advice hopefully school will be ok with waiting till he no longer looks so medieval.