DD has just popped out chicken pox spots, our new au pair hasn't had it

[TerribleTantrums]

He's a bit anxious about getting it as it's worse for an adult and wants to avoid DD as much as possible while she's still infectious. He does realise that he's already been exposed, but is still hopeful that he might not catch it.

Two questions - is there anything we can do to minimise the likelihood of him catching it, and, given that it's hard to avoid a 5 yr old when you're living in the same house as her, would I be better off seeing if I can get someone else to the take the au pair in for a week until she's better?

I feel so sorry for him, he only just arrived on Sunday. And the DC are going away for a fortnight in August so our au pair has planned to tour Ireland with a couple of his friends while the DC are gone. Unfortunately the incubation period means that, if he has it, he will be spotty bang in the middle of the time the DC are away.

Are you sure he hasn't been vaccinated ?

If she has just come out in spots, the most infectious period was probably the last couple of days, so it is most likely too late already (when DD got chicken pox it was from being at a playdate with a friend of DS's, who came out in spots the next day). If he's going to catch it, he will - there's probably nothing more you can do.

Doctors can offer antivirals to help reduce the severity, I think, if it is the same as shingles, so it might be worth getting him to talk to a doctor. Has he registered with one yet?

No, he hasn't been vaccinated and he checked with his Mum who said he definitely has never had it.

Do you take antivirals before the symptoms start exexpat? Or would he need to wait until he's sure he has definitely caught it?

I think you are meant to start taking antivirals within 24 hours of the rash appearing, but not before. This article gives more details - they don't usually prescribe acyclovir for children, but it sounds like adults/teens may be more likely to get it, as chicken pox is more severe in adults. I had it when I was 21, it was awful.

Definitely consult GP as immunoglobulin will reduce severity or even prevent. Problem is it's very expensive.

Best to ask though. A blood test can confirm whether immune or not. Often people are immune even if they don't think they've had it.

Having said that my brother caught it from his kids last year and was v poorly for a few days and absolutely smothered in spots.

I thought immunoglobulin was only for people who were more vulnerable to complications, so pregnant women or people with suppressed immune systems. Our au pair is a perfectly healthy young man, so healthy that I am hopeful that he won't catch it at all, so I doubt he would qualify for immunoglobulin.

I have been working out dates, I reckon (if he catches it) he will start the spots just before the DC leave for Malaysia and will still be spotty when his girlfriend comes over (I get the impression it's a slightly complicated relationship so this will be a good test for them ) and he will have crusted over by the time his friends arrive for the round-Ireland tour. So it might not be so bad after all.

NHS on chicken pox. Sounds like immunoglobulin is only used for very vulnerable people, but acyclovir is more common (and easier to take - just pills rather than a drip - as well as being cheaper) - my mother was given it for shingles recently. I'd check with your GP.

Yes, the expense is the reason it's usually restricted to the Vulnerable. It works, though.

Brother had acyclovir and it helped. Might be worth getting a prescription so it can be started ASAP if/ when it appears.