chicken pox - not infectious after 5 days rash?

[goosey123]

I can't work out how to put link in - but health protection agency infection control advice for schools says that child can return to school 5 days after onset of rash. No mention of crusting.

My poor mum is looking after my non crusting 4 year old, and is going stir crazy (I'm back at work). She is day 7 after onset of rash. We had been following NHS choice guidelines that say about crusting over before she can mix again. What do others do, can I follow the HPA guidance and let her loose in the community again?!

hpa link - have any of them crusted? It does say 5 days from onset of rash so in theory she should be ok. They might get funny looks from other people though

I suppose it depends on what you mean by mixing?
Sending them into nursery is not a good idea until scabbed over due to the nature of play- sand/water/paints etc not good with weepy pox.

You just need to use HPA guidance and your own common sense I think. Walks, possibly shopping ok.