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Original poster

When to expect a sibling to catch chickenpox

79 replies

xxxJess123xxx · 01/04/2023 23:46

Hi all my daughter had chicken pox 12 days ago. My son hasn’t had it yet.
when can I expect him to catch it? Has anyone had siblings not catch it

we go away on Monday 🙈 no signs of it yet but he has just woke up which is unlike him, usually sleeps through

thanks x

OP posts:
Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 02/04/2023 10:46

3 weeks would be perfect !! we will be back by then! even 2 1/2 weeks as we would have had a couple days on holiday (only going for 5)

OP posts:
Dinoboymama · 02/04/2023 11:00

Don't not go just incase.

They could not get it many don't get it the first time they are exposed or show symptoms.

I never had them as a child but was told I was immune in pregnancy when they did some testing to check. My dsis has them when I was a newborn.

Ivebeenframed · 02/04/2023 11:32

When I was about 10 my younger sister got it and I so wanted to catch it too to have time off school. I'd sit next to her, play with her etc but that didn't work. I ended up with it years later aged 16

Utini · 02/04/2023 14:37

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 02/04/2023 00:52

I caught everything two weeks after my big sister started school.

Please don’t be selfish enough to still go and spread it. He WILL get it.

Do you have holiday insurance?

Insurance isn't going to cover cancellation unless the child is actually ill though.

Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 02/04/2023 17:18

No I don’t have insurance, it was only a couple hundred £ holiday. And yes, he’s not actually unwell
still nothing yet

OP posts:
GreatWeekAhead · 02/04/2023 21:49

14 days for us and most people I know so the next couple of days will be critical I think.that being said, I would absolutely still go on holiday tomorrow if it's a staycation and you can drive.

DD got hers out of the blue while we were on holiday abroad and it was fine anyway.

But I'm keeping everything crossed for you!

BettyOBarley · 02/04/2023 21:54

My son didn't catch it from my daughter but he was under 1, which I think gives them some immunity (from the mum).

elliejjtiny · 02/04/2023 21:57

15 days with mine

GreatWeekAhead · 02/04/2023 21:59

@BettyOBarley I thought that was the case too but DD2 sadly caught it from DD1 when she was just 6 months old and was SO bad with it, absolutely covered from head to toe. It seems my immunity didn't help her at all :(

snowbellsxox · 02/04/2023 22:02

My eldest never got it when his baby brother had it, and baby brother had it BAD
Very strange, I didn't keep them apart either as that would have been unrealistic

Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 02/04/2023 23:38

We shall see, I’m still going to go, all being well in the morning!
will keep you updated!

OP posts:
eatdrinkandbemerry · 02/04/2023 23:40

14 days for my second to catch it from the first

Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 02/04/2023 23:56

14 days will be Tuesday 🙈

OP posts:
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 03/04/2023 00:31

If you go, you are a very selfish woman.

springingintospring1 · 03/04/2023 07:02

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy why would she be selfish for going on holiday when her child doesn't have chickenpox? By that logic nobody should ever go on holiday incase they get ill when they're away.

Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 03/04/2023 08:35

He doesn’t have it currently, may not get it, or may get it when I’m back? Tell me how I’m selfish

OP posts:
Pasqual · 03/04/2023 12:27

Similar boat here. My DD has had spots since Wednesday, a very mild case, they are all's scabbed over now but I have a DS who hasn't had chicken pox yet. Due to fly on the 16th which is during the incubation period 😭

Phoned our travel insurance this morning as I'd much rather cancel than put anyone at risk and they've said that unless DS is actively unwell, they won't do anything. So if I cancel of my own accord, we'll lose over £3k

So we're in a waiting game to see if spots develop, are risking having them come out on holiday and being stuck abroad or if he's going to skip getting them at all.

I'm ill with worry over it.
I hope you manage to get your holiday

Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 03/04/2023 23:27

Sorry to hear you are in the same boat. I hope you manage to get your holiday too
we have had a lovely first day and no signs yet , touch wood x

OP posts:
Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 07/04/2023 20:46

update

we got the pox Thursday morning so left a day early

OP posts:
justmyluck1234 · 07/04/2023 20:51

When I had them... my brother never caught them. Still to this day he hasn't had them.

You can only wait and see :)

Squamata · 07/04/2023 20:52

Aw, that's rubbish about your hols op!

It was 14 days between my two - and DS got strep as a secondary infection and was very seriously ill.

Not to frighten you, but watch out for the signs (high temp, fast breathing etc). It was so clear he had chicken pox, it confused me and the doctors so it was picked up later and could have been fatal.

Squamata · 07/04/2023 20:52

justmyluck1234 · 07/04/2023 20:51

When I had them... my brother never caught them. Still to this day he hasn't had them.

You can only wait and see :)

@justmyluck1234 he should get vaccinated, chicken pox as an adult is horrendous

Kalista · 07/04/2023 21:00

I am the same. Never got it from my sibling or when everyone had it at school. My mum is certain I have not had it. Tested during pregnancy and was immune, so must have had it asymotomatic.

Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 07/04/2023 21:03

tbh he is doing really well. They were popping up more and more on the drive home (only a couple of hours thankfully) had a restless, itchy night last night, but today has been running around the house fine.

he has quite a few spots but has got away with it much lighter than his older sister xx

OP posts:
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 08/04/2023 05:21

So you’ve infected loads of other people as well then. Well done.

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