My Dad is on all sorts of immunosuppressive drugs for rheumatoid arthritis. He visited on Monday and my 8-year-old came down with chickenpox either Tuesday or Wednesday (I noticed the spots on Wednesday but she'd clearly scratched a few already).
He spoke to his GP yesterday who said he would have immunity from childhood and to see if he got any symptoms. From everything I've read, though, he's in a high-risk group and the correct protocol is that should be tested for antibodies then be given immunoglobulin if he doesn't have any. His GP knows which medications he's on but doesn't seem aware of the guidance. Unfortunately his rheumatology team is impossible to contact - you have to leave a message and, according to my Dad, they usually get back to you after a week.
I've called 111 and they agreed with me and said they'd let the surgery know. I also sent the surgery all the information I could find. I called this morning and they're giving me a phone appointment with a different GP to discuss it.
My question is - what can I do to convince them that he needs more attention here? I feel as though waiting to see if he gets ill is horribly risky as well as not following protocol but I'm not sure how much influence I have: if this GP just says to wait and see, who else do I go to? I don't want to just suck it up if it goes against the recommendations. I also don’t have much time as if he does need treatment it has to be prompt.
My other question is - what can I do to stop panicking? I am absolutely beside myself with worry and feeling sick with the anxiety of it all. We're always so careful with doing LFTs on everyone whenever we see him and now this!