Chicken pox and pregnancy

[JayJ]

Hi, I am 95% sure my 1 year old DS has the dreaded chicken pox. He has had it about 7 days now but is still coming out in spots. He is ok in himself now though. My only concern is that both me and DH have come down with runny noses, sore throats and headaches within the last 2 days. We have both had chicken pox though is it possible that we are getting it again or just a coincedence?

I am also 27 weeks pregnant, going to work later with a lady who is 13 weeks pregnant, don't want to risk passing it to her if there is any chance I have it.

Sorry for the long post, any advice? Thanks

If you had it very mildly and were quite young (under 5 years old) it might be possible that you might get it again - but seems unusual that it would happen to both of you. Plus the incubation period is 10-21 days so you shouldn't experience any symptoms until at least 8 days after your son's spots first appeared (he was infectious up to 2 days before his first spot). Sounds more likely you both have a cold. Having had chicken pox as an adult, I couldn't walk up the stairs - you do feel really, really bad!

If you do come out in spots, you will be fine. CP is only problematic in the first 14 weeks and the last month (last week really) of pregnancy. As for your work colleague, you could mention the outside possibility that you might be coming down with it, but again wouldn't be infectious until a couple of days before the spots appeared. By that time, she would probably have passed the 14 weeks period. If she hasn't had CP herself and is worried, she can get live antibodies which will give her protection for approx 3 weeks.

HTH.

Thanks Mamalocco, v reassuring.