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Original poster

Would you expose your child to chicken pox deliberately?

70 replies

Yorkiegirl · 08/12/2004 08:38

Chicken pox is going round near me now. DD1 had it when she was 8 months and sailed through it. DD2 is now 8 months, and if she could get through it as easily as DD1 did I would like her to have it now!
WOuld I be a really bad mother if I exposed her to it now? Is she too young?
She's still bf so her immunity may stop her from getting it anyway!
Please don't judge me if you think I'm awful....

OP posts:

heavenlyghost · 09/12/2004 07:12

I wouldn't expose my children deliberately ...
I know someone who has special needs after contracting encephalitis from CP and I also taught a 7 year old girl who was Type 1 diabetic as a direct complication from CP.
Having said that I wouldn't have my children immunised for CP ...
DS has been in close contact with children with CP twice (both times the day before their spots came out) and has never caught it.
Oh ... my niece caught CP very mildly as a 4 week old baby when her older sister had it and then poor thing got it again when she was 5 when her little brother had it ...
So ... wouldn't expose deliberately (especially under a year) but wouldn't worry too much if they got it.

louise1974 · 09/12/2004 07:22

It depends how bad a dose your dd had. My dd got it at 8mths and had a lot of the scabs so a quite strong dose . The doc told me she would have immunity.
Some babies only get a few scabs and a light dose so i guess they coyld catch it again.

ChristmasBOOZA · 09/12/2004 08:56

I'm glad that my intuitive thinking has been confirmed. That lots of babies, particularly breast fed ones, only get it mildly which leads to them not having immunity. Whereas DD who managed to get a full blown case despite the breastfeeding (and I definitely had it at age 7, I remember but also confirmed with my Mum) will have got immunity.

Yorkie have you made a decision yet?

Pagan · 09/12/2004 09:05

My Dad told me that it was common practice years ago that if a child had measles/chickenpox/whatever, all the other kids on the street would be sent to play with them so they'd catch it.

Speaking from personal experience I didn't get chickenpox until I was in my 20s and I thought I was dying. And like SF2's DH I was covered - everywhere. I believe it's much less of a horror if you get it young.

Original poster

Yorkiegirl · 09/12/2004 10:13

I'm going to just go with the flow on this one.... Have not deliberately exposed DD2 but I'm also not staying away from any friends who have CP. I doubt she'll catch it. When she's older I will definitely expose her if its around, hopefully before she's 3!

OP posts:

Original poster

Yorkiegirl · 09/12/2004 22:45

Hmm... things have been taken out of my hands on this one. Found out today that DD1's friend, who we spent quite a lot of time with on Monday, came out in CP yesterday. So we were with him before the spots came out, so the most contagious time!
So now to wait and see if DD2 gets it. I checked with my GP today, and she said that CP at 8 months should be ok, just use plenty of calamine and calpol. Immunity does develop when they are under a year so they shouldn't get it again. With incubation, DD2 might come out with spots just in time for Christmas!

OP posts:

ThomCatsAreNotJustForXmas · 09/12/2004 23:06

I've tried to get Lootie to get it 3 times, didn't bloody work! She'll get it the day before we're about to go on holiday without having being anywhere near another child with it
I'd love her to have had it by now.
I think you can take it from that that i don't think you are awful.

Original poster

Yorkiegirl · 09/12/2004 23:08

sssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...........

OP posts:

ThomCatsAreNotJustForXmas · 09/12/2004 23:11

So Yorkiegirl, what time can I drop Lottie off?

Original poster

Yorkiegirl · 09/12/2004 23:12

any time, just let me know! DD1's friend is also happy to part with many sloppy kisses in order to spread infection......

OP posts:

ThomCatsAreNotJustForXmas · 09/12/2004 23:27

Great, I'll put her in a cab 1st thing then. Best she stay till Sunday, just to make sure.
Do I need to pack anything or will you provide for her?

Original poster

Yorkiegirl · 09/12/2004 23:31

got everything she'll need!
How much would a cab from yours to Leeds cost I wonder.....!

OP posts:

lockets · 09/12/2004 23:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Yorkiegirl · 09/12/2004 23:37

If DD2 gets it looks like there's going to be a CP party at my house!

OP posts:

ThomCatsAreNotJustForXmas · 10/12/2004 10:04

Don't you know, I'm LOADED! She's on her way in a black cab, I left the meter running while I dressed her and she'll be with you in about .....8 hours or so!

jingleballs · 10/12/2004 10:05

I was 'given it' for my 4th b'day, had to cancel the party and every thing, only one friend was alowed in as her mumm wanted her to have it as well.

Original poster

Yorkiegirl · 10/12/2004 12:38

Will look forward to seeing Lottie at about 4 ish then Thomcat!! She would be very welcome
Now its time to sit and wait and see if CP appears!

OP posts:

Enideepmidwinter · 10/12/2004 12:39

haven't read all of this thread but having seen what an absolutely vile disease chicken pox can be I don't think I would ever expose a child deliberately.

tammylove · 10/12/2004 13:47

Yes i would, its a pain in the ass and the younger they have it in my opinion the better. The older they are the easier it is to scratch.

There are alot of good products on the market to help with chickenpox, so im a believer in getting out of the way.

marsup · 10/12/2004 21:45

My DS has some very small flat pink pimples since yesterday(only 4 or 5), and his nursery attendants thought it might be CP. One said when we put him in the bath the pimples would 'come out', which I took to mean 'show up clearly', and they didn't...does this suggest ds doesn't have CP or that he's going to wake up all spotty tomorrow?

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