Chickenpox, holidays and ferry travel

[Capers]

We are due to travel with Brittany ferries in 2.5 weeks. DS2 currently has chickenpox - DS1 doesn't. Still a chance that he could also develop a rash in the next couple of days and they will both recover in time to go away. However, if DS1 didn't become infected originally, but instead picks up CP from his brother, we can expect him to become ill either shortly before we are due to travel or while we are away. (10-21 day incubation period).
Ho hum - what to do?
Anyone travelled with children with chickenpox - or had children who have come down with it while away? Would be happy to hear of your experience and/or advice!!

I don't think the rules about flying with chickenpox apply to ferries - you're not in the same 'recycled air, small box' situation as an airplane, so I don't think it necessarily poses the same problem - you could presumably just keep a spotty child away from strangers, and not give it to everyone? I'd call the ferry company to check, though.

When did your DS2 come down with CP? According to the latest material I've read, kids are contagious for one day before spots come, and five days after.

How old is your DS1? Older kids are sometimes more ill with the pox than little ones ...

Thanks NotQuiteCockney. Thought the same as you (no recycled air - more space) but have now been told by Brittany Ferries that they do not allow travel - (it is for a doctor to confirm child is no longer contagious).

The little one seems to have been let off reasonably lightly so far - bigger one is 3yo. (Seemed like he was coming down with it a few days ago - really lethargic, completely hysterical when woken from lengthy naps until allowed to return to sleep, off his food - but no spots and now seems to have perked-up again).

Does the 5-day infectious period count from the first day spots appeared - or 5 days after the last crop?

I guess we're in a wait and see period. Fortunately I haven't said too much about the holiday yet - I think being ill and missing out on a holiday would be too much for a 3yo to bear. (Frankly, its a bit much for a 37yo too!)

Five days from first appearance of spots - this is based on something from the UK Department of Health or something - I did link to it recently.

Mine were 2 weeks to the day apart when the spots appeared. ds2 got them and had a mild attack with a few large spots but some on his face so it was impossible to hide and then dd got it with lots of little spots but none on her face.

I covered her up and took her out to places but explained that she was getting over chicken pox and may be contagious and no one caught it.

Doc told me it was 1 day before and until the last spot had crusted over. Its the spots that are the problem and the cough if you have young kids.

I would suggest that Brittany ferries will be quiet if you are going mid week, have you thought about a cabin?

I think there are still widely differing opinions. With ds we flew a week after the spots , UK gp said ok but Swiss paed said he'd have still been contagious and would n't have agreed. When dd had it she stayed off playgroup for about 10 days - 5 after last spot - as that was the policy based on US nd European guidelines.

tbh you can't make a decision until you know for sure ds1 has it.

Regardless of what a GP says - if he looks like a public health nuisance the ferry company and tour operator have indicated we won't be made very welcome. I don't fancy trying to explain why the other mummies and daddies won't let their children play with him. How did you get on with your ds?

So as you say, wait and see if - and how bad.
Not sure what the insurance implications will be - Our Nationwide policy states cover for cancellation due to serious illness. Chickenpox doesn't come into this category imo - but policy does not seem to mention infectious illness.

ds 's spots were mainly confined to his body and had crusted so noone would really have taken much notice tbh. Having had the all clear from our gp is never occurred to me that it was still an issue (didn't MN a lot back then !). I would n't have knowingly chanced it .

We were moving abroad and I was 6 months pg so had other things on my mind ! He was quite unwell at first when the spots came out, slept a lot, but was fine in himself by the time we flew.