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Original poster

chicken pox - advice please

59 replies

fryalot · 02/02/2007 08:09

My dd2 has been exposed to chicken pox, and this morning has spots, so fairly happy with my home diagnosis. Do I need to take her to a doctor, or can I just treat her at home? Is my dd1 infectious? She has already had it so I don't think she will get it, but can she carry it? Do I have to tell anyone? Any advice gratefully received.
Thanks

OP posts:
Imafairy · 02/02/2007 08:19

Hi squonk - I don't think you need to go the doctor, but you will need to let anyone your DD has been in contact with over the last week or so know the situation, as that's when she would have been contagious.
I don't think DD1 needs to be kept away from anyone.
Stock up on calamine lotion and some piriton syrup and bed yourself down for the weekend!
here's what NHS Direct says
HTH

Hulababy · 02/02/2007 08:22

I didn't bother going to the doctors.

DD1 won't be infectious, as she has had it. You can't carry it.

Piriton syrup is best thing for the itching - we found calamine rubbish!

Original poster
fryalot · 02/02/2007 08:23

Thank you very much. The link was helpful; didn't think about looking at nhs direct, although I tend to trust other mums more. Bedding down not an option, as ds seems symptom free and wants to play. I expect he'll get it just as she's getting better!

OP posts:
Original poster
fryalot · 02/02/2007 08:24

Thanks, Hulababy. Given dp instructions to visit chemist in lunch hour and come STRAIGHT home. Will give him new instruction.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 02/02/2007 08:29

FWIW DD had it uite mild and wasn't ill with it at all. She wanted to play and have fun, not be couped up al the time. During the day we took on a walk to local park for fresh air - no one was around, walked down empty streets and disappeared if we saw anyone heading our way.

Original poster
fryalot · 02/02/2007 08:36

dd doesn't seem ill - just quite spotty. Have told playgroup and am just about to e-mail everyone else.

OP posts:
NbgsYellowFeathers · 02/02/2007 08:39

hi
I've just started a thread but didnt notice this one going.
Can I just ask, how big are the spots?
My dd has come out in some last night and seems to have a few more this morning.

Original poster
fryalot · 02/02/2007 08:42

Spots at the moment very small and look like teenage spots or flea bites. I remember from when dd1 had them, they started out like this, then over two or three days grew and GREW (both in number and size)

OP posts:
NbgsYellowFeathers · 02/02/2007 08:44

Oh yeah, they sound the same. I've just noticed a few more on her back and neck too.
She doesnt seem bothered by them yet.

So are me and my dh contagious too?

Original poster
fryalot · 02/02/2007 08:48

I think that depends on whether you've had them or not. If not, I would say you probably are. If you have had them (and this was my worry) then it appears not. Have sent dd1 to school and dp to work and thanks to previous posts here I am not too concerned about irate parents coming round complaining that we've passed on the lurgy!

OP posts:
NbgsYellowFeathers · 02/02/2007 08:51

Its just dh's sister has had it 3 times and a friend of mine has had it twice, so I dont fall for the "you can't get it once you've had it" line

NbgsYellowFeathers · 02/02/2007 08:53

Sqonk, did you mean you havent sent dh to work?
Not sure my dh should go as he works with children.

amidaiwish · 02/02/2007 09:00

btw don't use piriton until all the spots have appeared (or new ones have stopped appearing). It suppresses the spots coming out so they will actually take longer to come out and you will have it for longer.

Original poster
fryalot · 02/02/2007 09:27

No, I meant that he has gone to work. That was one of the reasons why I started this thread so early, as he is a teacher! omg I've just infected half of Yorkshire with the pox..... Thanks for the advice about Piriton btw, wish.

OP posts:
NbgsYellowFeathers · 02/02/2007 09:39

We're in Yorkshire too Sqonk

Original poster
fryalot · 02/02/2007 09:47

sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry. Actually, your infection, at least, is not my fault as you've already got it!!!!

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NbgsYellowFeathers · 02/02/2007 09:51

lol

If your in the North I might blame you

Peachy123 · 02/02/2007 09:54

do u guys think its better for the kids to get the pox earlier in life? mine are 4 and 17 months, they havent had it.... is it worse as they get older?

Original poster
fryalot · 02/02/2007 09:54

No, miles away from you. We're near Hull. Have just counted spots. dd has 19. How many has your dd got?

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Original poster
fryalot · 02/02/2007 09:55

I think probably when they are old enough to understand that they should not scratch the scabs off is the best age. My littlest two are too small to understand this. Although, that said, the earlier they get it, I suppose any scars they do get will fade.

OP posts:
totaleclipse · 02/02/2007 09:55

When dts had chicken pox I did'nt take them to the gp, but I did call him so it could be put on thier medical record.

NbgsYellowFeathers · 02/02/2007 09:57

13 and one on her neck is blistering

Original poster
fryalot · 02/02/2007 09:58

One blister. She seems totally ok herself. At what point is she likely to become ill? Or has that stage passed?

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NbgsYellowFeathers · 02/02/2007 10:01

I think its when the spots come out in full force.
It was weird because last night I found a lump on the back of her head, well more the top of her neck. Iw as really worried but I think now that it could be a gland. She also has cold symptoms too but seems quite ok.
I'll just watch out for a fever.

ledodgy · 02/02/2007 10:03

amidaiwish I didn't know that about piriton that will explain why my ds got more fresh spots 7 days after the first ones came out!