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Original poster

Chickenpox

27 replies

jetadore · 16/02/2019 21:30

We're on holiday in Spain. Arrived yesterday. Today discovered ds has started breaking out in what I'm almost certain are chickenpox. We're due to fly back on Friday, it won't have run its course by then, will it? What do?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 16/02/2019 21:32

You might be lucky as it can scab over in about 5 days

littlecabbage · 16/02/2019 21:33

He shouldn’t be infectious by then as it is usually scabbed over (and non-infectious) by 5 days. But speak to the airline about their policy.

nervousmums · 16/02/2019 21:34

You might get luck as previous poster has said but if contact my insurance people just in case if you have it. They will put dc and a parent up in hotel and change flights etc

Mum2jenny · 16/02/2019 21:35

I know it's not the correct advice, but I'd put the child in clothing that hides the spots and just get on with it. ( but I'm sure I'm going to be slated for this option).

Original poster
jetadore · 16/02/2019 21:40

Hope so, but even then easyJet website says can't fly until "7 days after the appearance of the last new spot".

Panicking a bit, how vigilant are they likely to be? And even if we sneak him on there must be a good reason for the rule, right? I don't want to be responsible for making someone seriously ill.

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ny20005 · 16/02/2019 21:44

Of course there's a good reason for the rule 😱

Chicken pox are highly contagious & could cause some very serious health issues for people on the flight ! Contact your insurance & stay put till they've all scabbed over

dementedpixie · 16/02/2019 22:00

7 days after last spot is a ridiculous overreaction. Normally scabs over within 5 -7 days of first spot appearing

Original poster
jetadore · 16/02/2019 22:00

Ok so roughly how long after the last new spot appears does it take to scab over? So long as they're all scabbed over and not all over his face then I think we'll try to get the scheduled flight on Friday. He's got maybe 5-10 spots right now.

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Original poster
jetadore · 16/02/2019 22:06

I agree dementedpixie but I don't want to get booted off the plane by some pedantic attendant! First spot appeared yesterday evening and he's generally healthy so I'm optimistic he'll be ok in 5-7 days.

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Tea16 · 16/02/2019 22:07

We travelled on a plane and had no idea it was chicken pox until our return. Tbh, the clothing hid any bumps but its your call.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 16/02/2019 22:10

I know it's a pain but please don't travel if still contagious, even if you can hide the spots. Really not fair on other passengers/staff who are vulnerable eg pregnant

UncomfortableSilence · 16/02/2019 22:13

DD came down with Chicken Pox in Spain, we arrived on the Monday, first spot came out Tuesday and by Thursday she was covered.

We were due to fly home a week later on the Monday and had to delay it till the Friday when she got a fit to fly from a doctor. They still questioned us at the airport and requested the letter.

There is good reason why you shouldn't fly with it so I personally wouldn't risk it.

Unicornfeathers · 16/02/2019 22:34

Do you actually have insurance?

Because I can’t imagine a situation where you do and would chance it... the rules are really clear and are there for a reason

FWIW my son didn’t have many spots in the big scheme of things but he developed them over the course of TEN days and so was off school for nearly two weeks. You can not tell

Original poster
jetadore · 17/02/2019 05:32

Thanks UncomfortableSilence. So from the Thursday you mention she was covered, were you supposed to fly back on the Monday (4 days later) or a week on Monday (11days later)?

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Original poster
jetadore · 17/02/2019 05:40

Unicornfeathers do you actually have a stick up your butt?

Because I can't imagine a situation where you don't and would right such a snotty reply.

I'm well aware the rules and why they're there as you can probably see from my posts but as the other posts show, like speeding, there are the rules and what people actually do.

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Soontobe60 · 17/02/2019 06:17

Jetadore, the rule is there for a very good reason! Please do not be tempted to flout the rule. Someone on that flight could be seriously compromised if they're exposed to the virus.
Ring your insurer up asap and explain. That way it will all be sorted and you can get on with the rest of your (extended) holiday.

UncomfortableSilence · 17/02/2019 06:50

We were only there for a week Monday-Monday so stayed on an extra 4 days.

They vaccinate in Spain so they are not used to seeing it, we had to see 3 different doctors. We contacted our insurers straight away and they were great, obviously it's frustrating but kids never get ill at convenient times Confused

Unfortunately my DD was quite unwell with it too so it was for the best that we stayed, the pharmacist out there are great so pop to one if you need Piriton etc

Original poster
jetadore · 17/02/2019 07:14

Ok thanks, yeh already bought some paracetamol and lotion, cost €16 Shock and he says it's not as nice as calpol! Will be back for piriton if required. Glad they vaccinate here, makes me feel less anxious about him being out and about while contagious. No idea why we don't do that in the UK?

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MooseBeTimeForSnow · 17/02/2019 07:30

In what way are you out and about? He shouldn’t be swimming and exposure to the sun can cause scarring and make him more susceptible to burning.

minmooch · 17/02/2019 07:41

@jetadore no need to be rude to others who are trying to give you some advice.

My son had cancer. Catching chicken pox could have killed him. Had I seen a child on a plane with chicken pox and my son was there I would have been distraught.

SpaSushi · 17/02/2019 07:59

Mine had new spots developing fir more than five days, first day was the lightest.

Just because they vaccinate in Spain does not mean there are no immunodeficiency people- so same rules apply about staying inside until its all scabbed. It sucks but you cannot be 'out and about'

Original poster
jetadore · 17/02/2019 08:27

MooseBeTimeForSnow he was out in the sun, no swimming, the spots are on his torso, which was covered up.

minmooch sorry to hear about your son.

And sorry for being rude to Unicornfeathers

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Original poster
jetadore · 17/02/2019 08:36

SpaSuhi we were only out and about until we realised what it was, and he will be staying in from now on. I know there could be vulnerable people about but at least the risk is lower if most of the general population are vaccinated.

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minmooch · 17/02/2019 18:04

@jetadore even if people have been vaccinated if someone has undergone chemotherapy it strips them of every immunisation they have ever had.

I hope that your son's chicken pox clears up quickly and you are able to enjoy some of your holiday.

LIZS · 17/02/2019 18:08

Are you on a package holiday or booked independently? You should notify your travel rep/insurance company and arrange a fit to fly document for your return flight. It would be incredibly selfish to fly while still contagious.