Is it normal to be so very ill with chicken pox?

[EweHaveGoatToBeKiddin]

I naively thought the extent of chickenpox was just an annoying, itchy, all over rash.

5yo dd started getting a few spots on Fri night. By Sat morning, her back, front bum, tummy, chest and armpits were covered.

Yesterday they came up on her scalp, face and a few across her arms.

Today, there are a few more on her arms, and some on her hands and feet. Several on her face look extremely red and angry. There is one that has burst beneath her eye, and the skin around the eye is now red.

There is a huge yellow one beneath her nose and another on her chin, which also has a thick circle of red around them.

She's been feeling rundown for several weeks. Last week she had a tummy bug.

Since Sun, she's been really bad. Hardly eating. Coughing. Runny nose. Keeps getting very sweaty despite the fact it's frosty outside and i leave a window open for her when she's hot. Then goes very cold. So her temp is constantly up and down.

She's constipated. She's saying that her tummy feels like it needs to be sick, but no sick is coming out. She's barely left bed/the couch.

Today has been the worst. Absolutely soaked in sweat earlier despite the freezing cold temp and a window being open. Hasn't eaten in over 24 hours. Burst in to tears when i tried to put Sudo Cream on the 2 huge, yellow spots on her face. Says she's scared to look at herself because the spots scare her. And now she's finally napping.

She just seems so weak and drowsy and fragile.

I can't even take her out to get her a medicine. My Gp requires you to go pick up your prescription paper in person then take it to a chemist for the medicine. I don't even think there is a medicine that could help.

Any tips? Or even some reassurance that this is perfectly normal effects of CP? No idea who she has picked them up from.

Oh i never thought of that, planning for a possible admission. God i hate hospitals. Going to call ahead and book a taxi in a minute. Really worried they'll refuse to take us.

They don't need to know anything! Just say taxi to OOH. It's dark, she'll be wrapped up in a hood and all. And if they do refuse, ring 999 and get an ambulance.

Oh, you think that would be okay, issynoho ? If i kept her wrapped up and told her not to open her mouth whatsoever? I just know it's really dangerous for adults to get it, or it could be a pregnant driver, or one with a pregnant spouse or something.

On the other hand, i really have no other way of getting there. God, i need to learn to drive.

I'd certainly be booking transport right away. You don't need to tell the driver what it is (and I'm normally hot on chickenpox) just say you have a poorly child.

Of course don't walk! Ask for taxi and warn them like u said.

Poor child. My dd2 was very ill with cp and needed hospital treatment. Let us know how you get on. Take care

I only know about the possible admission thing because DD1 and I got caught out a few years ago! 24 hours in the same skanky clothes with no snacks and sleeping on a camp bed next to her before I could get some stuff from home. Remembered the next time I went near A&E with a poorly child!

U r balancing possible risk for another person against pressing risk for your own wee one who is already v I'll with it! Bring some cleaning wipes and beg driver to give it a clean after u get out, wrap up dd and ask her not to touch anything... And yes if taxi refuses, which they won't, ambulance

AFAIK chicken pox is a risk to pregnant women who have had it and other immuno-suppressed people. I stand to be corrected, but I doubt someone with immunity problems would be driving a taxi.

How is she? I was very ill with chicken pox as a child, and the doctors said it was because my mother had never had it, so no immunity at all. Hope the doctors sort her out and that she feels better soon.

Haven't had it, that should read.

How is your DD now Op? Thinking of you both x

Sorry missed your last post - yes, absolutely fine. Put your and your DD's needs first.

Yes, minimise risk if you can, but your DD is the priority here.

Thank you. That's the taxi booked. I chickened (excuse the pun) out of saying about the CP to them though as i was so worried they'd turn us down. I think i'll say to the driver on the way out though and i'll give the seat a quick wipe and leave him the pack. That is so cowardly isn't it?

She's 5 1/2 yo, MrsSchadenfreude. I've had CP before as a child, but nothing severe. Just a lot of itching and a week off school getting to play with my sister and brothers (who all had it at the same time - 5 of us! - my poor mother).

The sniffing has finally stopped. Think she's finally fallen asleep. She's going to be so grumpy when i wake her again in an hour.

Good stuff, Ewe, you're doing really well.

No cowardly at all - practical

I don't think it's cowardly either, it's your instincts as a mum kicking in making sure your dd gets the help she needs. You are doing a great job.

Coming to this a bit late, I hope you are being seen OP.

You really can't be too careful with chicken pox. I know a child with a compromised immune system who died of it. And I remember a lady at play group who's husband was blue lighted to hospital and nearly died. She'd been telling him to man up!

But Ewe is getting her dd seen soon, so she should be well looked after.

Your poor Mum! I thought I had it bad when my 3 got it in succession. DD2 was only 14 weeks old, just outside the period when she would have had my natural immunity. One got it, got better, I watched the others like hawks for the 17 day incubation period, or however long it is, and at about 16 days a little spot would show up and we'd be housebound again. 9 weeks I was glued to the sofa!

They all had it differently to. My eldest had it worst (she was 5 then), really itchy spots and headaches but DS was spotty but hardly ill at all.

Do you know about aqueous calamine to sooth and moisturise and giving liquid antihistamines for the itching? And baths with porridge oats in are soothing too.

POor little DD. Don't worry about the taxi- just put your DD in the most comfortable possible clothes and wrap her in a blanket- she's not going to infect anyone through clothes.

My oldest three are in their late teens and have all had CP and frankly I would be seeking medical attention urgently if they had been as bad as your DD. She sounds like there is something extra going on above "normal" CP. I would surprised and a little dismayed if they sent you home tonight. My niece also had a very rare and potentially very serious reaction to CP (infected lymph nodes). She missed nearly two terms of school what with one thing and another.

Hope your DD is soon on the mend.

How is the bruising to her face? Has it spread at all?

I'm glad she is getting seen.

I had no idea how bad CP could be until DS2 got it. DS1 was a bit off colour but sailed through it really, but DS2 was really poorly and ended up with pneumonitis, which wasn't good as he had just got over pneumonia and was only 15 months old. He had spots on top of spots too.

I hope she is soon on the mend.

Good luck. I am glad you are getting her seen. I read an upsetting thread on here a few months back where a little boy had chicken pox ans had serious problems with it and was in hospital for a while.
I dont mean to worry you but complications do happen and although they are very rare they can be serious.