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Original poster

chicken pox on holiday? Shoudl I cancel?

23 replies

kingfix · 22/04/2008 21:34

Due to go on holiday with two toddlers, pregnant friend and another toddler next Friday. A child at dd's nursery developed chicken pox last friday. Obviously if dd has spots before we leave I'll cancel. But if she doesn't should I cancel anyway?

OP posts:

handlemecarefully · 22/04/2008 21:36

No only if symptomatic. You are far too altruistic imo - cancelling a holiday because your child might be ill? - don't do it

Original poster

kingfix · 22/04/2008 21:45

It's also the thought of dealing with sick child/ren while away from home. But I guess she won't necessarily get c.pox, huh? Ta for advice, will get suntan lotion out and hope for the best

OP posts:

Monkeybird · 22/04/2008 21:46

depends where - if you develop spots abroad and are flying, they won't let you back on the plane... but don't cancel just in case. Do you have insurance? might be a good idea...

Original poster

kingfix · 22/04/2008 21:52

hmmm, forced to stay on holiday eh? Maybe it's not all bad. But wouldn't you be annoyed if you were pregnant, with dd1, on last hol before dd2 and your mate rocked up with possibly poxy children?

OP posts:

zazen · 22/04/2008 21:58

Has your friend had the pox ever? If not, don't go on hols with her as she could be very very ill indeed if she got it, and it could possibly harm her babe.

If your DD shows any signs of being infectious DO TELL the airline /operator (if you are traveling in any enclosed space) as you could give the pox to another traveler who might be immune compromised / or preggo, and be very very ill indeed, and it might harm their unborn babe also.

this happened with us as we were flying out on our first hol since DD was born, and the airline were very wary about us being in coach and we got an upgrade to lovely empty business class!! RESULT!

Monkeybird · 22/04/2008 21:59

how pregnant is she? if it's near due date cpox is an issue but not - I think at other times. though obv very unpleasant foir everyone...

you'd have to foot the bill for accom, changing flights if you had to stay - insurance could be funny if you go knowing your child is ill...

amidaiwish · 22/04/2008 22:08

but your child is NOT ill... you can't cancel on the off-chance she might get CP. DD1 was exposed to it about 5 times at nursery before she actually got it.

Do get travel insurance
Do ask your friend if she has had it. If not, it is most risky pre-20 weeks or just before the birth.

Original poster

kingfix · 22/04/2008 22:10

Friend has had c pox, otherwise would defo stay away. these are the reasons why I am thinking of cancelling anyway, incubation period is 10-20 days according to NHSonline, so if my dd1 has caught it she could well come down with it while we're away, couldn't she? Which would mean
A)possibly exposing people on the plane to c pox before symptoms appear(we are going budget so nowhere to upgrade to!)
b) friend's dd getting it
c) having to stay on til children recovered, get new accom, flights, extra days off work...
but then it seems a bit cautious to cancel if dd1 seems healthy.
As for insurance, I wouldn't go knowing she was ill, but might go knowing she might get ill, so don't know how that affects it.

OP posts:

Original poster

kingfix · 22/04/2008 22:12

cross post amidaiwish, good to hear your dd didn't get it at first exposure, have sort of been assuming mine will get it!

OP posts:

themildmanneredjanitor · 22/04/2008 22:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

amidaiwish · 22/04/2008 22:13

GO!

if she does get CP she may be barely ill. DD1 was totally fine with CP, just spotty, lay on the sofa watching TV and slept loads for a couple of days.

If she does get it the sea and fresh air will clear it up in no time.

we all "might" get ill, so i am sure the insurance won't be invalid.

where are you going to?

Monkeybird · 22/04/2008 22:13

then you should go. you don't know she will get it and your friend will prob be immune. you have insurance and can't be expected to predict beforehand.

IneedacleanerIamalazyslattern · 22/04/2008 22:14

My dd was exposed to cp about a half dozend times before she finally got it.
If your dd seems healthy then go, can you imagine how you would feel if she never got them and you hadn't gone? OK how will you feel if she does get them? but really is the chance she might worth cancelling for?

IneedacleanerIamalazyslattern · 22/04/2008 22:14

Monkeybird · 22/04/2008 22:15

yeah but some kids do get it REALLY badly (mine...) so go but be prepared (take or buy piriton or similar and calamine lotion and don't go in the sun if any spots appear cos heat makes em worse...)

Flibbertyjibbet · 22/04/2008 22:16

Last year dd2 started with chicken pox 2 days before we went on hols. We still went but it was in the uk and he slept for most of the 5 hour journey (he was 11m).
I know of someone whose child came out with it while abroad, they were not allowed to fly, so mum and sick child had to stay behind until doc gave clearance that it was no longer contagious. Sounded a nightmare as their hol accom had another family booked in and they had no money left!

bluesky · 23/04/2008 08:53

My ds started nursery at 2.5, so has been exposed loads of times, but didn't actually get it until he was 6 and at school! he was Ok with it, whereas ds2 was a baby and was very poorly.

You just don't know. Go and be prepared. Medicines and credit card!

LIZS · 23/04/2008 10:36

agree unless she has symptoms you can't cancel and Insurance won't cover you. Take an EHIC card if going to Europe.

amidaiwish · 23/04/2008 12:08

LIZS what do you mean insurance won't cover you.?

titchy · 23/04/2008 12:20

Insurance won't cover unless ACTUALLY ill. You can't say 'Oh I'm cancelling cos I MIGHT get cp/flu/break a leg etc etc' and expect them to cough up - we'd all be doing it if they did!

amidaiwish · 23/04/2008 12:21

oh i see. yes. agree.

FairyBasslet · 25/04/2008 14:57

Don't cancel.

We had a situation in February just as we were about to go to Canada skiing. DD was exposed to cp at nursery and we were on tenterhooks. If she did get it, the most likely time was the day we were due to fly or the day before. She didn't get it at all.

Also, as someone has already said, you can't claim on insurance on the off-chance that your child might get ill.

Try not to worry about it and see what happens. We had a wonderful holiday after all the worry

Booboomum · 25/04/2008 21:41

Be careful with the flights...DS got it last christmas the day before we were due to fly to Ireland and we were not allowed to fly. Depends if you mind being stranded abroad I guess??!!I agree that not every child that ill with it.

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