She's going to get Chicken Pox, isn't she?

[UngratefulMoo]

Just spent the day with BiL and SiL whose daughter is similar age to DD (18mo). The day before we went, BiL informed us that DN had been diagnosed with a 'mild viral rash' but that she wasn't ill with it and didn't bother her. So we went anyway.

Well, it's Chicken Pox. They took her back to the Dr and was diagnosed this morning. DN and DD spent the whole day together, they held hands, hugged and played with the same toys.

Aside from feeling v sorry for DN that she has it, it's pretty much inevitable that DD will get it, isn't it? Nothing I can do, is there? From what point do I start keeping her home from nursery? And if I had CP as a child (I did) could I still be a carrier (i.e. should I be worried about the fact that I sit next to a five-months pregnant women at work)?

Not necessarily.
DD has been in contact twice with children who came out in the pox the following day, but she's never had it.

most children do get it at some point. Better now than on the eve of a holiday?

Having said that DD2 has been in close contact with CP kids many times and has never had it.

yet.

I don''t think you can pass it onto someone at work. I work with 2 people who have never had it before and I have looked into it long ago.

I agree with gallicgirl, mine were exposed lots of times before they eventually got chickenpox.

Oddly, when DD did finally catch it at the age of seven, we had no idea where she caught it from as no one we knew had it.

I think you only keep your dd off nursery if / when she develops chicken pox spots - she is not guaranteed to get it. I don't think you can be a carrier and shouldn't have anything to worry about by being with pregnant women.

Not necessarily.

My friend has two boys and the oldest one got CP. He and his brother share a bedroom, she bathed them together, they played together etc and the youngest never got it. Quite strange .

I would keep an eye on your DD as it's highly likely that she will get it. I hope she's not too ill if she does though.

Average incubation period is 14-16 days but any time between 9 and 21 days I think (looked it up last week). If your DD seems hot, tired or gets a spot (can be just the one) in that period I would maybe keep home for a day or two, a bit more precautionary than you normally might be ifyswim. And tell the nursery. Otherwise nothing you can do.

Not inevitable at all. My DS was exposed many times but eventually got it aged 4. But, it would be good to get it out of the way whilst your DD is still very young. You can't carry the virus and pass it on.

Thanks all for the replies. Will keep fingers crossed!