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Original poster

has anyone's DC given chicken pox to a sibling?

23 replies

mckenzie · 02/06/2007 08:28

DD has just come out in spots and it seems most likely that she got it from DS. I keep hearing stories that when it passes to a sibling it's a case of if one has it mildly then the other one will get it badly.

Any experience of this please? DS had it mildly so I'm nervous it means 2 year old DD is going to get a severe dose. I know htere is nothing I can do about it but forewarned is forearmed

TIA

OP posts:
belgo · 02/06/2007 08:29

I don't think that's necessarily the case.

Nbg · 02/06/2007 08:33

Not sure how true that is but it was certainly the case for us and a friend of mine.

lyrabelacqua · 02/06/2007 08:33

DS2 caught it first and had it mildly, then 2 weeks later ds1 came out in spots and had it REALLY badly. The doc said it was the worst case he had seen in a long time and he now has some very deep scarring on his face and most of his body.
I'm not trying to scare you, just saying be prepared and get antibiotics straight away if any of the spots become infected.
I've not heard this theory about sibling always getting it worse though, although that was the case for us.

3sEnough · 02/06/2007 08:36

My ds gave it to dd - who was worse. I know of lots of cases where no2 (or 3!) gets it worse but none where they get it more mildly - not to say it can't happen though!

compo · 02/06/2007 08:37

No, both of mine got it really badly within 3 weeks of each other.

Trinityrhino · 02/06/2007 08:37

dd2 had it not too bad and then 2 weeks later dd3 came out in spots and it was a very mild case

missgriss · 02/06/2007 08:41

My DS had a very mild version of chickenpox, passed it onto DD who came down really bad with it. DD then passed it back to DS, and he was really bad second time around.

I always thought you couldn't get it twice too.

jinxed · 02/06/2007 08:45

oh what i have to look forward to!

DD1 came out in spots yesterday, so waiting for DD2 to get it. So far doesnt look like DD1 is getting it too badly.

Anyone know how long it takes for all the spots to appear?

michaelad · 02/06/2007 08:45

Yes, d21 passed it on to ds2 who then passed it on to my dh!!!! I was the last one standing and it was an utter nightmare!!!

michaelad · 02/06/2007 08:46

ds1 obviously...not d21 OMG!!!!

Ceolas · 02/06/2007 08:48

My 3 all had it in the same week. None of them were too severe. Poor DS was only 5ish months.

ZacheryQuack · 02/06/2007 08:48

DS had it when DD was 4 weeks old. DD had it when shewas 6 weeks old. Neither had it too badly.

LadyTophamHatt · 02/06/2007 08:49

ds1 gave it to ds2 when I was PG with ds3.

Ds2 had a much worse case....

SweetyDarling · 02/06/2007 08:52

I've never heard that. I have heard of chicken pox parties though - the idea being that if one child has chicken pox during a relativly convenient time (school holidays for example) then other children are brought around in the hope of picking it up and getting it over and done with. I think the main idea is avoiding getting it when older when it's generally much more severe. Don't know that I could do it though!

Original poster
mckenzie · 02/06/2007 09:04

thanks for all the posts.
Jinxed, DS got his first spots on thrusday night and those ones were blisters by friday and scabbed over by saturday. He only got a few more spots on the friday and saturday.
DD had one or two last night and they are now appearing before my eyes all over her body. Bles her - I've got a nasty gut feeling that she'll get it bad. I sticked up on calpol, piriton and aqueous cream with calamine when DS started and didn't use any of it so at least I'm prepared.
Hope your DD doesn't get it too bad.

OP posts:
seamonster · 02/06/2007 09:11

Again I don't know if everyone is the same, but it was true for us.

NuttyMuffins · 02/06/2007 09:12

Dd1 had it mildly, and gave it to Dd2 who was covered.

inamuckingfuddle · 02/06/2007 09:14

DT1 had it very mildly a couple of weeks ago and DT2 is really suffering with it now

boomie · 02/06/2007 09:17

DD1 got it first and suffered badly - DD2 then got it exactly 2 weeks later and had it slightly worse. Hope they get better soon

mankyscotslass · 02/06/2007 10:00

DS (5) came out on thursday, just a few spots, but he now has them erupting all over his face and back. DD (3) is not herself at all, fully expect her to get it and be worse, as DS is not bad in himself. Dreading her getting it, plus the 19mth old.....

goingfor3 · 02/06/2007 10:02

My 2 year old gave it to my five week old. They both had it mildly.

ChippyMinton · 02/06/2007 10:05

Was the case here. One theory is that the first sibling will have only had a small amount of contact with the virus - say at pre-school. The other siblings are then in contact with the carrier (their brother or sister) over a much longer period of time, so get it worse. Might be rubbish of course Hope your DC feel better soon.

Original poster
mckenzie · 02/06/2007 11:38

I guess that would make sense chippyminton. DD has just spent an hour with her nan so that i could go for a run (DS is at his saturday morning club so DH is with him) and has come home and asked to go to bed! Bless her, she must be feeling poorly

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