Chicken pox - please reassure me this is normal

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4yo DS looks like this.

He has a temp of 39.5 and his heart is racing. Google tells me this is all ok, and I know I can't give him ibuprofen, only calpol (which he can't have any more or if for a while) which is what I would normally alternate if he has a particularly high temperature.

He's been up since 3am this morning and is too 'jumpy' to fall into a proper sleep, despite obviously being exhausted.

The GP actually saw him earlier today as he has spots in his mouth and throat, but his temperature was only slightly up then.

No spots look infected, but he has a lot of them and I suspect I can't see some of the down his throat.

The poor wee soul is really struggling. Has anyone else's DC been similarly affected?

Thanks

Hi Flapjack

Sounds like you had a horrendous experience. They say it's worse to get it as an adult right enough. So glad to hear you're not scarred from it (apart from the MIL-related embarrassment!)

I had him at the GP 2 weeks ago as he came out in a strange mottled rash all over his body along with very red cheeks. Diagnosed with slapped cheek. Wonder if the fact his body was already fighting a virus is the reason the chickenpox has hit him so hard

Sounds like it bless him.
It is horrid but will pass.
Look after yourself as well. Hard work being on nursemaid duties xxx

I keep telling myself that. I've heard the 'this too shall pass' MN mantra on the child development board many times in the past!

Thank you

Poor kid, that looks nasty but as many pp have said, normal. Hope he gets better soon.

Oh and I agree with others about Aveeno. The stuff is very good at soothing the itch from chicken pox.

If you're at all worried get onto your doctor or NHS 111 again. As other people have pointed out some kids get it bad enough they need to be in hospital and if there is any secondary infection you want to get it sorted as soon as possible.

I hope you little one feels better soon.

Thanks Dunedin

I will, not taking any chances.

Poor boy. Ds2 was like this and was"properly poorly" for 24 hours - similar to how you describe your ds last night. Then he got better over the course of a few days, although the spots looked terrible for 2 weeks. He was left with a number of pic scars initially but they've all faded over the last 6 years.

Thanks Barbarian

Good to hear your DS's scars have faded.

DS is much happier today and the new spots coming out on his lower legs and arms don't seem to be turning into the into the big jelly ones that covered his top half.

Fingers crossed he's over the worst and none of them get infected.

Oh Red Your poor boy looks so poorly. My DS (2) has just had CP and i thought he had quite a bad case but it was nothing like this. It's very hard for parents because there's so little we can do to to help them. I kept telling myself that one more bad day / or night was a day closer to it being over. In my experience recovery tends to happen quite quickly once it starts.

I hope the creams are offering some relief for now and that the arrival of new spots slows down.

At least with such a good dose of it you know he'll build up a proper immunity to it (tiny silver lining!)

Just to say I used to hallucinate and actually all it was was a high temperature. I remember clearly some paper dinosaurs walking round my room. They definitely did. Dm had to incarcerate them in the airing cupboard with a Old English Dictionary on top.
I think it was more scary for her than me.

Hi Althea

It is horrible when there's not much you can do but wait (and smother them in every lotion/potion recommended), I have felt so helpless.

Spots started on Sunday last week, I thought he was past the worst by Thursday, and picking up on Friday, then he was up vomiting and complaining of a sore head and tummy through the night on Friday. He then had an ok - if obviously tired - day on Saturday and has been much better day today after a good sleep last night.

Think he's now getting over it! He also keeps coming up in the slapped cheek rash on his arms, so that must still be in his body. Poor wee guy's been trying to fight off 2 viruses at once, no wonder he's been floored!

I am very appreciative of the support/advice. I know it's only chickenpox, but it's just been such a horrible week.

Will be glad when all signs of it are finally gone!

Happy Easter to you all x

Sorry Witchend Xpost. I suspect it is much scarier for the parents!

My DS has hallucinated before, he kept sitting up and tying to eat 'the lovely sandwich' I'd left on his bed! Freaked me right out, as we were on holiday in a fairly remote place!

I know temperatures aren't all that bad (and are necessary to fight infection) but they make me nervous! I'm glad yours weren't a bad memory or experience.

Our pharmacist told us to use piriton (antihistamine syrup). Seemed to work well to reduce itching. Does look like a really bad case though so worth getting doctor back if you are worried.

So glad to see he seems to have turned the corner now. Hope you all manage to get a proper rest now xx