is the dreaded chicken pox on its way!

[katycakes]

My ds2 who is 18months has been running a fever,not eating and had beeen generally unwell for last 2 days i thought it was just a cold but have just spoken to a friend and her son has just started with chicken pox.
We spent the day with them last friday so now i m wondering if ds2 is getting it too but i m not sure if these are the first symptoms or not.
Does anyone have any idea if kids do get poorly b4 they get the spots would really appreciate your comments

From my experience I would say they do get poorly before the spots come out - usually cold like symptoms.

Sorry!

and in the children I have seen it is usually 1-2 weeks before the spots!

Yes, they are quite often ill before the spots show and the symptoms you descirbe fit it perfectly. The usual incubation period is nearer to 14 days than 6, but I suppose you could have picked it up even before you spent time with your friend and her son, if it is going round.

It has been going around his nursery but not in his group so it is possible thathe has had contact b4 last friday.
My sister in law is pregnant how long would you advise we had better steer clear for b4 i can safely rule out that it isn t chicken pox?
I m dreading the fact that it is chicken pox as ds1 had iit when he was 11months and was nearly hospitilised with it,do you think it follows suit that if one gets it bad the other will too?
Love the idea of the red dots hausfrau maybe if he was a little older that would work a treat but def gonna pass it on to friends