Pox in a 4 month old who is already poorely.

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Just wondering if anyone had more knowledge on the pox, my dd has possibly been exposed to another baby whose sibling has just come down.

my dd is already poorely with heavy cold and nasty chest, she will not take calpol, we tried last week when she had a high temp, should i be worired? anyone else had small baby already ill with the pox?

have you got a syringe to give her calpol? you can usually get it down them at that age, it is not pleasant but worth it.

pox has a long incubation period, so it may be a while before she gets it (7-21 days from exposure) and with any luck she'll have recovered from her cold and be well enough to face it...

most kids don't get very ill with the pox anyway, even at that age so she'll probably be ok. My ds had it at that age and he was not desperately ill but it was hellish for a couple of days because he just would not sleep at all! Hope you don't have a rough time

Yes we do have syrginge, she gagged even with the teenist bit, i put some on my nipple even and she wouldnt have that! she doesnt have dummy or anything, they dont tell you this side when going on about EBF do they

she was sick so much i was worried about dehyrdatiion so left the temp and jjust kept moniterting it, am v scared about her chest, i know it can be fine or suddenly get worse.

we are due to go abroad in four weeks so if she does get hopefully she has it by then!

she was next to potential carrier for 50 mins

If you are very worried contact your GP tomorrow and discuss whether it would be possible/appropriate for your dc to be given antivirals (they prevent the chicken pox virus getting a hold and can only be used in a very limited timeframe hence you will need to discuss tomorrow).

Thanks Dikker,

thats really good to know, I expect they will say ride it out, but you never know I am already on tender hooks with her chest.

There's a knack with the syringe and Calpol; you need to point it at the inside of the cheek as far back as you can. If you squirt it in the front of the mouth they'll just spit.

Good luck with avoiding the pox - my dd had it at 7 months when she was just a few months post open heart surgery and was in heart failure. She had quite a bad bout but did OK.

oh my goodness what a worry you poor thing Dame!

Yes I will try that method, last time she was projectile vomiting so I thought leave calpol and dont put dehydration into the equation.

Id much rather she had it when at least a year and that bit stronger!

The child she might have got it from, mother has been desperate for her DC to get it. I was stupid.

For future reference, if your DD really will not take calpol, you can get paracetamol suppositories for use in babies. My DD was like this and it was so much easier to administer the suppositories. I think you have to get them on prescription though. We used to stock up whenever in continental Europe as they are available OTC in many other countries.

I am sure your DD will be fine if she does develop the pox - it's often quite mild if they get it early, but go to the doctor with any concerns at all. It's not always completely benign.

wow some fab tips here across the board!
never heard of suppositories

I just wonder if it did start to go nasty how would i know? what would happen how bad can it get>

Well I think just if your DD was showing real distress, appeared to be in disproportionate pain, fever that won't come down with calpol (ha!), being v sleepy or the big red flag - not being rousable

oh gosh thanks Narmada.
the lady that might have passed this onto us - was determined for her dc to get it. i should have known better.

Have you heard of paracetamol and ibuprofen suppositories? On the continent they are used quite a lot and in the UK you can order them through pharmacies. Very few stock them but most can get them in very quickly (next day). They are over the counter and it is good to have a few any way in case child is prone to vomiting.

Also you may want to stock up on some things dealing with the itchiness. Scratching can cause not only scars but also bacterial infections, so preventing scratching as much as possible is quite important.

Boots sells stuff like Virasoothe, calamine etc etc Also some ice lollies in case of very sore throat - I suppose you could just make them with expressed breast milk in one of those plastic holders for making your own ice creams.

Ah thanks dikker

great to know i am not reliant on one specific thing its good to know what to ask for!

she will not take anything in her mouth at the moment but i havant tried anything cold like that. big hugs to you , i feel slightly more reassured!

when my first dd got it - i was fit and well , she was well and it was great timing, but with us all down with nasty colds, having thebaby - my other DD waking up hacking away etc...i do not want my baby to get it!

thanks again for the advice though, i feel more able to prepare for it now. xxx