if a child is obviously ill with chicken pox are they still contagious?

[Meglet]

Maybe I'm panicking about this.....

Me and ds spent part of this morning with another toddler who's childminder told us was ill with chicken pox, he's covered in spots, wasn't eating as he had it in his throat and is on loads of calpol. I know they stop being contagious once the spots start scabbing over, but I didn't get that close to the poor little lad to check what the spots were like. Would I be right in assuming that if he's still feeling ill then he's probably still contagious?

Ds had it as a baby but I know it can strike twice. I just don't want it in the house now as I'm having a major op next month and need to get organised before I'm bedridden all summer. [Neurotic panic emoticon].

If he's still feeling rough then I would think he probably still is contagious.

If your DS has already had it, he's probably fine though. Have you had it??

yes he was probably still contagious.

Bugger bugger bugger.

I've had it, but am going into panic mode about shingles and the possibility of 8mo dd getting it. I'm a lone parent and having a hysterectomy next month so we need a healthy household for a while. Oh well, we shall see if anything develops over the next week.

you can't catch shingles, but i would be concerned about your 8 month old.

why teh hell was this child out and about mixing with other children?

was your dd with you?

Ffs, the kid shouldn't be hanging around with other people in that state.
It is contagious until THE LAST SPOT HAS SCABBED OVER.

Chickenpox is contagious for 5 days after the first spots appear. So if it was after that it shoul dbe okay, but if he was still feeling ill it is unlikely that it hs been that long.

Dd wasn't with us, but maybe we could have bought the virus home with us and it might be lurking in the house .

I think you'll be ok then. UNlikely to strike twice, and I don't think you can bring the virus home.