my toddler has chickenpox...can I take him out!?

[geologygirl]

I have a good reason. Ive run out of growing up milk and he wont drink real milk. Can I nip over with him in the buggy to the nearby chemist? He is into day 2 of spots so contagious. ..but dont know what to do. Im a lone parent and all family working. He is a bit itchy but no other symptoms and in good spirits.

Is it ok to take him??? Or am I putting the public at risk??

[QOD]

Have you given him some anti histamine? That helps with the itching.
It's a horrible illness, even a minor case is miserable

[NorthernLurker]

'their unfounded opinions' - but they aren't unfounded. The opinion that the OP's reaction was reasonable is based on knowledge of how CP is infectious and on the precautions she was taking. What was unfounded was to tell her she shouldn't set foot out of doors.

[geologygirl]

Yes I realise it was just milk but he has it before bed and helps relax him. He didn't have any lastnight and was very upset...I didn't want that for him tonight. He needed comfort and milk was required! Risks to the public very small in my case...

I wouldnt have dreamt of popping to Tesco though!

[OutragedFromLeeds]

'I know someone else who left their 7yo at home alone when she had cp to get some shopping'

That's another topic that gets heated on mumsnet

[girliefriend]

I am a single parent so can really sympathise, my dd was about 14 months when she got cp and the worst part of it was not being able to get out - i was nearly climbing the walls!!!

What you did sounds sensible to me, I know someone else who left their 7yo at home alone when she had cp to get some shopping

[PreciousPuddleduck]

I think what you did was reasonable OP & I would do the same. Hope your little man is better soon X

[narmada]

Taking a child with CP outside or not.... it's always a topic that kicks off on MN, and for good reason.

OP, hope your little fella is better soon. Piriton is the stuff of wonder.

Many people are not at all aware of how dangerous CP can be for immunocompromised people, and don't act out of malice, but out of ignorance. I really think it would be helpful to have more public information campaigns about this sort of thing.

[OutragedFromLeeds]

I think what you did was fine OP.

What Jinty said a few posts is is exactly what I would have done. The risk to anyone else would be miniscule.

[PoppyWearer]

Don't feel bad, OP.

My own DFather has a suppressed immune system and I still think what you did was fine.

I had no choice but to do the school run with DS with chickenpox. All I could do was to minimise the risk to others as much as possible.

[crashdoll]

Also, if you've seen the many previous threads on this topic, you will see I am not the only one who feels this way.

[crashdoll]

Did you read my posts? I was perfectly polite before people starting wading in with their unfounded opinions. I said there was some risk. I didn't say there was high risk. I didn't berate single parents, nice way to say "single" parents as if I'm discriminating. Christ alive!

[NorthernLurker]

Did they also tell you to berate single parents making brief excursions out of doors?

There is no way any medical professional has told you that you will contract chicken pox from anything other than close contact.

Possibly shops, certainly theatres and cinemas, nurseries, schools, buses and trains for sure are areas to worry about. Child in street in passing contact is not an issue.

[crashdoll]

Northern - are you a specialist in infectious diseases or similar? I have been told there is risk by specialist medical professionals.

[NorthernLurker]

There is NO additional risk from her taking her child outside. I am familiar with NHS guidance thanks. It says you should keep a child at home from school or nursery. It doesn't mean you shouldn't go outside at all.

[crashdoll]

geology I do understand you felt it was essential. He needed comfort and you gave it to him. You are his mother and I imagine you'd walk to the ends of the earth for him. So,I do understand that and I'm sorry your son is poorly and you didn't have any support. But please understand how frightening it is for someone whose child takes big risks every time they go out. The risk you took was very small but it was still a risk to someone or someone's child. I just want people to realise that and how scary it is and the consequences are much more scary than a child not having milk for comfort. Although, I know your priority is your child. And I genuinely hope he perks up soon, I remember having chicken pox as a child and it's bloody miserable.

[geologygirl]

Crash - it was essential for me to meet my son's needs, particularly when he is unwell and in need of comfort. If I had to get on the bus or travel up the road I would not have gone. I made plans with the pharmacist and it really was last resort after trying to ask family. I saw noone as I dashed him across the road in the buggy...only the pharmacist who knew I had a toddler with CP. And he actually told me I could come into the shop but I declined and simply grabbed the bag and handed over my cash. I dont and will not feel bad about it...

[ilovepowerhoop]

if he was under a raincover and met no-one and touched nothing then what was the risk?

[crashdoll]

I wasn't "battering the OP". My first post was very polite and I got increasingly cross with people who think they know better than NHS guidelines and my specialists. If someone here specialises in infectious diseases or immunology and tells me I'm wrong, I will wholeheartedly apologise.

Yes, the risk was minimal but it was still a risk, that what all I was saying and you stuck your oar in with no respect for what it's like living with a low immune system. It's not like OP had no food in the house or needed medicine for her child.

[geologygirl]

Haha yes shiraztastic, we give teeth a good brush before bed....although I have to admit he wasn't happy about doing it tonight. The itch is making him rather grumpy!

Northern, Poppy, Pregnant, Dreams and everyone else - thanks for all the well wishes. CP is pretty unpleasant but I guess its better to get it out of the way. I hear that having it for the first time as an adult is even more unbearable.

[PregnantPain]

No, I don't but honestly, "Some people like you couldn't give a shit about you and your own" Uncalled for and not pissing true and I would ask you apologize for that remark. Quite the assumption to make isn't it!

FWIW the child was under a rain-cover and as a pp mentioned it is airborne, so unless someone came and stuck their head under it I am sure the spread would have been minimal.

I agree that it is risky, but you completely battered the OP with your point unnecessarily.

[crashdoll]

Northern I expect people to follow NHS guidelines to protect vulnerable members of the community. It was not an essential trip, that's what is bothering me the most.

[crashdoll]

PregantPain Patronising, much? I assume you know allllll about living with an illness that means you are risk of infectious illnesses and the fear that goes with you. Some people like you really couldn't give a shit about anyone but you and your own.

[DreamsTurnToGoldDust]

I think while your ds is ill it would not be the best time to tackle stopping the milk at night, best done when hes feeling happy and contented.

Bless him CP is horrible and very uncomfortable, hope hes ok.

[PoppyWearer]

OP, I hope you have a decent night, my DS barely slept with it, horrible. Take care.

[PregnantPain]

She took every precaution crashdoll, unclench.