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Children's health

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Original poster

Trying to work out if these children were contagious!

11 replies

Flightattendant25 · 28/04/2009 12:52

just had a very nice lady here with her two small children.

The older one (about 3 and a half) had obviously the latter stages of chicken pox - I couldn't tell if scabbed really but didn't look blistery. Her mum said it hadn't been too bad apart from a couple of nights, so I'm presuming it's been a while since she started with it.

The little one hadn't had it yet so I am thinking she is probably about to have it! My 22mo was playing and in contact with both of them for about 20 minutes.

Neitehr of my boys has had it - the older one is at school and I am keen that he does have it while still quite young as I know it's worse when they are older.

Still I am nervous though. I had it when I was 9 but not badly, so hoping I'm immune anyway! How likely is ds to have caught it?

and if it's 2 weeks between children, does this mean my older one is likely to have it during half term?

arghh.

OP posts:

Seona1973 · 28/04/2009 13:33

there is no way to know if the little one was contagious - they are contagious for 1-2 days before the spots appear and for 5-7 day after they come out. The incubation period is 10-21 days though so depending on how long ago the older one had them the younger child may not be at the contagious stage yet anyway.

Original poster

Flightattendant25 · 28/04/2009 13:38

Thankyou - will just have to wait and see then!

I do wish she had let me know in advance though - it might have been an issue for us.

OP posts:

FrankMustard · 28/04/2009 13:41

I think your friend should have informed you about it before brining her children round as if the little one hasn't already had chicken pox, there's a very high chance that she will get it if exposed to her older sibling who has it.
I would just be aware that your dc is likely to catch it (although not guaranteed, it's quite likely) and so maybe avoid spending time with babies or anyone you know who would be very ill if they caught it (ie pregant women who haven't had it as a child).
We have a lot of chicken pox in this area too and I suspect my ds4 is about to get it as he has been in close contact with several children withint the 10-20 days incubation period, who are now covered in spots!

nickytwotimes · 28/04/2009 13:42

What was she thinking of, not letting you know?

Very out of order.

You can get your own immunity checked at your GP's. It's a simple blood test. I have no immunity and am ttc. Very unfair not to let people know.

MammaTiggy · 28/04/2009 13:44

i seems to be really random as to catching it or not. i didnt get it myself until i was an adult (i was actually pregnant at the time!), and when i was little numerous friends had it and i never caught it AND my mum had it when i was about 8 years old and i never caught it off her which was really strange.

when i did eventually catch it as a (pregnant) adult i have no idea where i caught it from because i never knowingly came into contact with anyone with it, i think i must have caught it in the doctors waiting room at one of my midwife appointments.

and it can be dangerous when pg but lukily everything was fine.

anyway i am rambling on now but basically its just a lottery as to if they get it or not, i would try to forget about it cos theres nothing you can do about it now and its better to get it as a child than in adulthood anyway

Original poster

Flightattendant25 · 28/04/2009 13:45

Thanks - not a friend, just a lady who bought something from us on ebay and came to get it bringing her children.

There wasn't much I could do as it was just us trying to get the object into her car, so the kids just mucked about together. Saying that they were all mainly outdoors or with door open, so you never know.

I mentioned it to her and she just said she hadn't thought, and hoped I didn't mind. Tbh half of me hopes they do get it now but the other half is a little bit annoyed!

OP posts:

nickytwotimes · 28/04/2009 13:50

I agree, it is a bit of a lottery.
However, if your kids are possibly contagious, they shouldn't be playing with other kids.

MammaTiggy · 28/04/2009 13:57

yes i agree that people really should try to be careful to keep contagious children away because you dont know who is vunerable to it, it was so scary when i got it when i was pg, but like i say luckily it all turned out fine, but has the potential to be very dangerous

Peachy · 28/04/2009 14:00

There's a mum wandering around our schoolplayground ATM with a chicekn poxy child

Apart from basics of not wanting DS4 to get it ATM as we're planning a trip away, there is a child there on chemo.

FFS.

I am prepared, in this case, to Judge.

Original poster

Flightattendant25 · 28/04/2009 16:05

Peachy could you ask school to have a word?

OP posts:

Peachy · 28/04/2009 17:56

Um no, as she's had her Dh have a word with me before and i'm not going there again, nearly had to call police last time (some may remember the thread)(plus ds3 has left now and I'm just passing through for the other school so no legitimate way of nowing bar being a nosey eavesdropper)

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