In the pool with chicken pox?

[Caramina]

Went swimming today with my step-son and only realised after we got home that he appears to have a few chicken pox on his arm/torso. I've seen chicken pox lots before and am sure that's what it is. Panicking and feel absolutely terrible that we took him in the pool with young kids and other families. What do we do? Call the pool to let them know/apologise?

Please no angry responses. We absolutely wouldn't have taken him if we knew and don't regularly check every inch of skin before going swimming!

Feel absolutely terrible...

I think I'd maybe call the pool but don't feel bad about it. It's just one of those things.

I'd give them a call just to let them know but I'm assuming the chlorine will take care of it anyway. Don't beat yourself up, it happens. I had no idea my DC had been exposed to the virus, one morning I sent her to preschool with one spot which I thought was an insect bite, by that evening she was covered in spots.

It can’t be helped I guess- you didn’t know!!
I spotted (excuse the pun!) DSs CP whilst in the drs waiting room... I hadn’t even thought CP I suspected a chest infection as he is prone to them and had a cough and high temp. As soon as I saw them I spoke to reception and moved, but it was the community MW day at the surgery and I felt awful.

Thanks both. I know chicken pox is one of gene things that chlorine can't kill. There are even signs up saying do not swim if your child has chicken pox as it is highly contagious in water! Just concerned that there were pregnant women and very young babies in the pool that's all.

It’s not your fault Caramina.This is completely different to those ‘AIBU to take DD to Disneyland even though she has chicken pox?’ situations, and you weren’t to know. Luckily most grown ups are immune and most tiny babies have immunity from their mothers. Good shout to call the pool but don’t feel guilty.

Just one of those things. It won’t be the first or the last time it happens. My dad spotted my DS had chicken pox when he was giving him a bath. He was 6 months post transplant and obviously on shed loads of anti rejection drugs. I felt very very bad...!

Thanks both. Called the pool and they were really appreciative. Can't believe we didn't notice. He's got about 15! Still feel terrible. Fingers crossed he hasn't given it to anyone poorly..

Try not to beat yourself up, you didn't know. They're contagious before the spots arrive anyway so people will be unknowingly exposed all the time. You've done all you can.

One of those things, he may not have had any signs beforehand.

My ds was checked before he went into ballet as I knew it was going round. he was totally clear. Came out half an hour later, took his leotard off and must have had nearly 20 spots appearing. He definitely didn't have them 35 minutes earlier as I'd checked thoroughly. Nor did he have the typical grottiness the day before.

You didn’t know therefore there was nothing you could have done. They are most infectious the couple of days before the spots appear anyway.
It was the right thing to do to call the pool but don’t beat yourself up now.

Can I remind people that you can get the vaccine for chicken pox privately as well. I didnt realise for ages. There are pros and cons of course (not least the expense!) but it does exist.

With dd1 she was really poorly and had been kept inside (as she was unwell) before the spots came. With dd2 we had absolutely no clue until a huge amount of spots just came up! We had been out and about the day before then the next morning, bam. It really is just one of those things, its not like you took him knowing.