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Original poster

My son has been exposed to chicken pox and we are flying on Saturday morning - need advice!

22 replies

Londonista · 21/03/2013 20:20

My older son broke out in spots on 10th March, he only had 2-3 spots for 3 days then on 13th the rest arrived in force and he was very low and flu-ey but didn't have that many spots and is now completely well, hardly even know he had it barely any scabs even.
I obviously have been trying to keep my sons apart but very likely his 2 year old brother has caught it and is now busily incubating it. We are due to fly to Oz on Saturday 23rd in the morning, 24 hours straight thru. If my younger son breaks out in even a couple of spots before Saturday morning, we obviously won't go. Currently he is a picture of health, no rash, completely happy and well, but if it takes 14 days or thereabouts to incubate, he will be due to break out on Sunday when we are almost to Perth. Just wondering if I should change the flights now (flights are fully flex), or wait and see what happens. The not knowing is killing me!

I've read loads online, just looking for some experiences really about how long it takes to incubate, signs that it was coming on before the spots actually appear etc. Anyone had siblings that were lucky and didn't catch it from each other??? Hey, I can dream!

OP posts:
Manchesterhistorygirl · 21/03/2013 20:21

He may present with a cold before hand. What an absolute sod of timing!

Original poster
Londonista · 21/03/2013 20:24

Yes it's pretty much the worst timing imaginable! I knew my boys would do this to me Grin, hence the fully flex tickets.

OP posts:
CoteDAzur · 21/03/2013 20:28

I've never heard of siblings who have avoided catching chicken pox from each other.

Sorry to be the voice of doom here, but I would change the flights. DS had chicken pox when we were on holiday and it wasn't fun for anybody.

hazeyjane · 21/03/2013 20:31

Also don't want to be the voice of doom, but dh came out with chicken pox, nearly 3 weeks after the dd's. NHS says the incubation period is up to 21 days.

Sorry!

Original poster
Londonista · 21/03/2013 20:35

I honestly don't mind if he gets it while we are in Oz, we are there for 4 weeks and nanny and pop will be there to help out. I just would really like to avoid (a) infecting innocent bystanders and (b) travelling with a sick child for 24 hours. Think I will have to wait and see what he is like when we wake up on Saturday morning, won't I. He's fit as a fiddle at the moment. I keep stripping him off and examining him every few hours!
Good to know he will probably get a bit cold-y before he gets spots. My big son didn't he just woke up one day with a couple.

OP posts:
Original poster
Londonista · 21/03/2013 20:38

hazeyjane - oh dear, was he very sick with it?? my husband doesn't know whether he's had it, and his mum can't remember...! guess we will soon find out.

OP posts:
bump6 · 21/03/2013 21:00

sorry also to be a doom person, having nannied for years, siblings always got it, 2 weeks exactly after first one! Also worth thinking about any pregnant ladies you may encounter on your trip. hope you have a good holiday when you go. X

PandaG · 21/03/2013 21:02

I didn't get it when my younger sister had the pox, and we shared a bedroom. Instead I got chicken pox much later at 15, and was really ill with it!

clam · 21/03/2013 21:07

It might be that he's just droopy and drowsy on the plane, in which case cuddles and calpol might get you through.
How close to the actual departure time can you change/cancel the tickets?

CajaDeLaMemoria · 21/03/2013 21:07

I never caught it from any other of my siblings, either - all 5 of us got it at separate times.

He might be okay :)

hazeyjane · 21/03/2013 21:14

clam, he can't be on an aeroplane with chickenpox

clam · 21/03/2013 21:25

I thought the OP was wondering how to cope IF he went down with it during the flight. He might not and might be perfectly fine for take-off. How long can you put your life on hold just in case your child becomes ill?
Although I agree that with CP it's quite likley he will have caught it.

5eggstremelychocaletymadeggs · 21/03/2013 21:30

My lot never caught it off each other. The elder three all had it at totally seperate occassions and my younger two are yet ti get it. Am amazed ds4 hasnt had it as everyone else at his pre-school had it but he managed not to catch it.

How late can you change the tickwts without it being a problem? If he seems fine and is well in himself i would go. But any signs ie a cold, temp etc or seeming unwell then i would try and change flights. If he isnt spotty when you go he may be incubating it or he may not but you cant not go just because he may be incubating.

NorthernLurker · 21/03/2013 22:25

Your two year old ^maY6 Have enough immunity from you that he misses it this time. My dd3 was nearly three when she got it and dd1 was over three. Dd2 on the other hand caught it when still breast fed at 5 months - from dd1.

Hazeyjane - the OP isn't planning to fly with an obviously infectious child. The problem is her son may or may not start with CP on the plane or shortly thereafter arrival - meaning he ws infectious on the plane. At this time of year there's every chance though that he won't be the only one in that situation on the flight!

Original poster
Londonista · 22/03/2013 06:45

Hi yes, there is no need for us to attempt travel if he has symptoms of any sort, we can change tickets with no penalty right up to departure.
It's just the worry of him breaking out on flight. I have a doc's appointment this evening so I will also see what they reckon. He's up now and completely peppy and spot free. The doctor said 80% of siblings will catch it so very likely he has it, just a case of when it's going to break free!

I really just wanted to see what people's experiences were about how quick it comes on.

OP posts:
Original poster
Londonista · 22/03/2013 17:39

Quick update - we now have spots Confused so that's that decision made. Trip postponed by a week - hope that'll be long enough??

OP posts:
NorthernLurker · 22/03/2013 20:09

That will be fine. The spots need to dry up. A week will be fine. Hope he isn't too grotty with it. What a shame for you all - but at least they came out tonight not tomorrow!

pooka · 23/03/2013 12:48

I'd contact the airline to see whether you'll need fit to fly letter - even if spots have dried, he may still be spotty and airline might want evidence that not contagious.

Personally - id defer by 10 days to be safe.

pooka · 23/03/2013 12:50

Also don't know whether some letter might be helpful at Australian end. They vaccinate against the pox, and I know friends who had dcs come out in chicken pox in US where vaccination routi e also, and they were treated like pariahs.

5eggstremelychocaletymadeggs · 23/03/2013 13:35

I was coming on to say get a fit to fly letter, if he is obviously scabby and be prepared for some evil looks.

NorthernLurker · 23/03/2013 16:07

Dried up scabs are fine but yes - get your GP's word for it!

5eggstremelychocaletymadeggs · 23/03/2013 16:29

Yes scabs are fine but people will give tou evils and get the gp letter to be sure. You dont want a fight with the boarding people as you try and get on!

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