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Original poster

Chicken pox in adults -what to expect please

15 replies

mumblecrumble · 14/04/2010 11:22

Our daughter has chicken pox and it is very likely that Daddy will have it in the enxt week.

Please culd anybody give us an idea of what to expect and anything we can do to ease it?

thanks

OP posts:

babylove2 · 14/04/2010 17:22

Hi,

I got it when i was 21, and i'm not going to le it was horrible!! Felt very cold high temp the lot.

Unfortunetly there really isnt alot you can do other than tablets, maybe try piriton.

Oh hang on saying that my sister got it aswell and the doctor gave her some tablets which she basically had about 6 spots and was fine, i wasnt offered any

HTH

cutekids · 14/04/2010 17:26

I had it when I was 34 and I can honestly say I thought I was going to die!!! (I had never-and will never again I hope-felt so bad in my life before!)
I would say-in general anyway-it's much better to get it when your a child!!!

happyland · 14/04/2010 17:29

My husband, my son (2) and daughter (4) all had it at the same time and my h was by far the worst. He was really quite ill with it unfortunately. Covered in pussy spots and high temp, couldn't eat or get up at all for a week. Sorry to say, but adults definitely get it harder.

PrettyCandles · 14/04/2010 17:34

No guarantee that he will catch it. My dad never had any of the childhood illnesses as a child, and never caught anything from us even though we all had most of them. Mind you, he did avoid us when we were ill!

He finally caught chickenpox from my dd, and the GP gave him antivirals before any spots even appeared, as cp is extremely dangerous for elderly people and for adults with certain underlying conditions. If your dh has any chronic illness or condition, talk to your GP asap.

emeraldgirl1 · 14/04/2010 17:35

DH and I both had it at age 27 - and my brother too actually. apparently men suffer worse with it. I was pretty bad too - spots were horrendous - far worse than I've seen on kids - and even worse for DH. I think I felt worse in myself than he did, and it took me a good 3-4 weeks after the spots had gone to feel myself again.

calamine lotion for itching, and white cotton gloves at night if you don't want to scratch in your sleep. And a good supply of DVDs because staying in gets boring!!

scurryfunge · 14/04/2010 17:40

I had it when I was 21 - never felt so ill. I had only a few spots though. Lots of paracetamol!

Fliight · 14/04/2010 19:23

Can you ask your GP for antivirals, I think they can prescribe them for adults and he'd need to start on them about now to have the most impact.

Original poster

mumblecrumble · 14/04/2010 19:46

Curses.

Thought so.... have stocked up on antihistamines, parecetomol, ibrufrofen, ribena (DH likes hot ribena when ill) food etc...

Asked doctor about antivirals and they kind of changed the subject. He is a healthy young adult I suppose.

Poor sod.... I asked him to change the bin while he still had the strength (am disabled so this is hard for me - don;t think I;m a heartless cow...). He was like "I'll be fine to do that surely..."... Doesn;t know whats going to hit him. He has a few spots in his mouth and is feeling a bit poorly.

DD has had a miserable day

Poor things.

OP posts:

nickytwotimes · 14/04/2010 19:51

Please, please get him to ask for anti-virals. They can make a huge difference to duration and discomfort. Also ask about dh getting the immunoglobin to minimise infection, though may be too late if he is getting ill. ANti virals have a good effect if taken within 48 hrs of onset of illness.
It can be nastier as an adult, particularly afterwards (lethargy) but not inevitably.
Hope they are both fine soon.

nickytwotimes · 14/04/2010 19:51

that should be ask for anti virals AGAIN. sorry.

Fliight · 14/04/2010 19:52

The fact you are disabled is good enough reason to get him anti virals. If he is laid up for 2 weeks you will struggle.

Ring out of hours and get him some tonight, if you feel pushy. Seriously, it's the best thing you can do.

Good luck.

tink123 · 14/04/2010 20:40

I would get some anti virals if poss. DH had it three years ago, was healthy apart from smoker. Ended up on ITU critically ill with temp of 41.5.

Fine now but i'm glad i took him to hospital when I did. Watch out for temp that won't come down or dry cough.

He may not get it. A lot of ppl have immunity.

Original poster

mumblecrumble · 15/04/2010 23:01

Doctor says no to antivirrals....

But sid to go in if spots appears...hmmm

OP posts:

vanitypear · 15/04/2010 23:36

My brother (18) was extremely ill before they would give him the anti virals. They are very expensive, which is why they won't. Keep pushing.

BeenBeta · 15/04/2010 23:55

As others said. Getting it as an adult at 30 was horrible. No antivirals in those days some 17 years ago.

Get lots of Calamine lotion in to stop itching. Lots of Paracetomol and fluids. Do not plan to do anything for two weeks. Feel very weak afterwards with post viral syndrome

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