Holiday with chickenpox

[sandrad]

My DS contracted chickenpox 6 days ago and due to go abroad in 5 days. There is so much conflicting advice on how long he will be infectious. Anyone had experience of this? NHS GP not sure...

We flew and moved abroad when ds had had it a week - all scabbed by then - but our new dr said statistically he'd have passed it on to one or two fellow passengers, even then. 11 days should be fine though.

hi sandrad you'll need to contact the airline. A friend's DD came out with chickenpox spots whilst on holiday. They wouldn't allow her to fly home because the virus could get caught up in the air conditioning and it would take them weeks to get rid of it (pretty sure I'm remembering this correctly - because it made me laugh that she was trapped abroad rather than in rainy England). It's serious because of the number of people (pregnant, old etc) chickenpox is bad for.

It would be awful if you got to the airport and weren't allowed to fly. hth

You will be fine. Don't contact the airline. This is the advice from NHS direct (a very good website btw) and makes it clear your child isn't going to infect anyone. Have a great holiday.

The person is infectious from about two days before the rash appears until approximately five days after. It takes 11-20 days to develop symptoms after being in contact with the virus (the 'incubation period').

It is spread by direct contact with broken chickenpox blisters or by inhaling infected airborne droplets.

The rash takes the form of blisters, which burst and then scab over. Traditionally it was thought that the risk of passing on the infection was still there until the last blister had burst and scabbed. However, it is now recommend that children need only be excluded from school for just 5 days, as transmission has not been reported beyond day five of the rash.

Thanks. I would like to get a doc certificate to be sure we can fly and for proof to airline but family gp sems reluctant to make call either way, even though spots have all scabbed over?

Maybe show him a printout from the NHS direct site?

I can't believe your GP won't give you a certificate!
How can he say he isn't sure... he's a doctor!!! 9or is he???0

Can you see another GP and ask them for a certificate???

as marslady said, you don't wanna get to the airport and not be allowed to fly

He is very "old-school" conservative and wants to allow 14 days. I am definitely going to try another GP.