How can I avoid chickenpox exposure on holiday with a baby?

[ForWildCyanTiger]

hoping for some guidance on how best to avoid chicken pox - in summary we’re on holiday and my (vaccinated) 3 year old was playing with another child. I started chatting to mum and realised their younger daughter had chicken pox, I asked a few friendly questions and it transpired they came out the day before they travelled and they arrived here yesterday so I assume they’re on day 2 or 3 so still contagious, it looked very sore so I really felt for them all. I totally appreciate everyone needs a holiday and theyve no doubt spent lots of money and their 2 children would’ve been so excited to come away, but we also have a 4 month old with us (not to mention all the other children here - it’s an all inclusive resort in Spain so it’s full of small children) and I’d really rather the baby didn’t catch it. There’s several pools but as their older son really likes our older child they keep migrating to us. I really don’t want to appear rude but do want to keep everyone well. All tips welcome!

That’s awful of them. Babies, pregnant people and other vulnerable people have been put at risk by them. I’d report them to the hotel manager, hopefully they’ll have to quarantine in their hotel room.

What they are doing is disgraceful frankly, letting a contagious child freely mix. Risks an outbreak and ruining everyone’s trip (plus you can’t fly with it contagious so you could get stuck in Spain).

If they won’t get the hint I think it’s fine to say, sorry we have an unvaccinated baby and we are very worried about catching CP on this trip so hope you understand but we’ll be keeping our distance a bit.

Thanks for these replies - tbh those were my thoughts but I wasn’t sure if I was being selfish as I do appreciate it was my choice to travel with a small baby and that that does have some inherent risk and I appreciate the world doesn’t revolve around my baby but I did think this was a bit much!

No it’s not you being selfish. It’s not even just about your baby, there will be lots of vulnerable people at the resort and there’s a reason why people with chickenpox aren’t supposed to travel and expose people. They’re the selfish ones for still travelling, they should have used their travel insurance and postponed.

They are awful people. Surely they can see you have a young baby? I’d have no issue saying to them that “no, your child cannot play with ours, please leave us alone”.

I’m appalled by their behaviour. They actually flew with a child that they knew had active chickenpox???

Id not think twice about how I came across, I’d be very firm in keeping my children away from their whole family. I’d also report them to the hotel management!

Ok you’ve all made me feel like I’m not insane - they were SO casual I was really doubting how big an issue it was even though it seemed like one to me. I was surprised they’d been allowed on a plane as honestly it looks so sore the child is covered I haven’t seen it so severe before (likely made worse by chlorine irritating it I’d think) - there’s actually a kind of separate area that’s not as water park and fun but still has pools so we’ve headed there for the afternoon!

I would report them op. Chickenpox could make some people very ill and being in the water, on sunbeds and generally around others is putting most of the visitors at risk.

You have a perfect right to travel with your baby.

They on the other hand have chosen to put two fingers up at anyone travelling in their vicinity who is unvaccinated, like your baby, or who has a compromised immune system through chemo or other treatments.

I would not only ask tell them to keep their infectious child away from you but I would tell the hotel management in case they are aware of guests or staff who could be compromised, and any other parents with young children staying in the hotel.

By way of an update for all you lovely folk, thought we’d cracked it yesterday as we didn’t see them so assumed they’d been asked not to use the shared facilities but they’re back today. Very annoying as they’re using the toddler pool. They’re also sat next to a pregnant woman and her toddler so I had to bite my tongue hard! We did go to reception and let them know as that felt a step too far for me (hopefully like most of us she’s had CP but we don’t know, I’m not sure how common it is in every other country people have travelled from) so we shall see!

like you all I was amazed they’d boarded a plane, karma may well mean they can’t board one home of their other children come down with it