Chicken Pox and Centre Parcs

[edielousmum]

My 4 year old daughter came down with Chicken Pox on this Saturday just gone 20th Feb, we are due to go to Centre Parcs next Monday 1st march - 9 nights after first spots.

The reason we were going was to use the "subtropical" swimming pool on a daily basis, and to get involved with activities. I am really not sure it is worth going to sit in a log cabin for a week.

Do you think people will accept a spotty 4 year old in the smimming pool or should I try and get our money back through the insurance?

Your opinions would help.

Personally I would cancel and claim the insurance.

I say this as I am pregnant and although I am immune to chickenpox I would not like to see someone in a crowded place near to me with it as they would not necessarily know about me having it before IYSWIM.

Also, I thought that you were still highly contagious until 5 days after the last scab. If your daughter still has spots I assume she would still be contagious?

Yes, take on your view. No one is going to want to be near a spotty child contagious or not.

This is what the NHS website says about contagiousness:

"You are infectious from about two days before the rash appears until roughly five days after. Therefore you or your child should stay at home until all of the blisters have fully crusted over, and this usually happens five to seven days after the first blister appears. After the last blister has burst and crusted over, you are no longer infectious."

They like to beat around the bush! I think it is saying 7 days from first blister. I have just talked to her pre-school they says he should be fine to return there by next monday. So theoretically she should be fine to go swimming.

If she is it will just be the stigma of the spots we have to deal with...people staring would be annoying in itself.

Surely most people at a Centre Parks will have some experience of children, and will recognise Edielous's spots for what they are - healing cp?

I understood it to be from when the newest pox is scabbed over, which works out about 24-48h after it appears, which is usually not more than 7 days from the first pox appearing.

Keep an eye on the spots, if no more appear after Friday ie 26 Feb then she will almost definitely be out of the infectious stage, so IMO absolutely no reason to cancel yet.

I so don't agree with people not wanting to be near a spotty child - what about insect bites, or acne in a few year's time? Should children hide just because someone thinks "Euwww"?

Thanks prettycandles, yes center parcs is quite child friendly so I guess most will have experience of cp.

I think we have to decide nearer the time whether she is contagious or not - given the time frame it looks like she will be over the contagious stage. She is bouncing around the room as i type - not showing signs of illness at all - just very spotty!

At the end of the day, if she is well but spotty we will have to get on with things and put up with any stares! A big all in one swimsuit may help too!

I would go! What can you do lock yourself away until all the spots gone completly? This can take weeks. Just because someone wouldn't want to be near a 'spotty child'. I've never heard anything so ridiculous! My son had chick pox when I was 7 months preg. My gps advice was he could go back to p school when spots dried up. He was back within the week and not contagious. There are lots of people walking round with contagious bugs that you cant see! Have fun x

It is highly likely she will be fine by then.

Personally I would print off some info from a reputable source (NHS Direct or similar) to take with you. Some nosey parker or do-gooder may try and mention it to you, but unlikely.

Afaik most of the Center Parcs sites have a qualified nurse on site. If it would reassure you why not try to ring/e-mail them in advance to put your mind at rest.

I would go too, unless you have another child yourselves likely to catch it in the next few days/weeks?
DD2 didn't get the spots until 3 weeks after DD1 first developed them, I thought I'd got away with it. I understand they incubate the virus for up to 2 weeks before the spots develope

Thanks guys

Sound advice...subject to her being better I will print off info and take it along.

Good thinking re other siblings incubating it, but she is the only one so no worries there.

Feeling better about it now. Was gutted as have been looking forward to going for months!

Hi

I have just seen this post and wondered what you did in the end. My dd has just come down with spots this morning and we are due to go to Centre Parcs a week Monday (i.e. 8 days after the first spot). Did you speak to a nurse there? Did you have to deal with anyone staring etc? Thanks

I wouldn't want want to be near a spotty child. Not so ridiculous in our case as DD1 is immunosupressed and CP could potentially be extremely dangerous for her. ...just another point of view.

Have a nice holiday!