Chickenpox and heading to CentreParks

[Mags2014]

So we are due to go to CentreParks on Monday. My daughter had a bit of a fever at the weekend, still ok though, a good few spots appeared on Monday but we put it down to a heat rash, by Tuesday it was clearly chickenpox. She's had a rough time of it the last couple of days, totally covered, already a lot of it has scabbed over. We're booked in to CentreParks from Monday and to cancel would mean losing 50% of the cost which we can't really afford and there's the Airbnb at the halfpoint etc. She will be past the infectious stage when we get to CentreParks but from speaking to other parents, it takes ages to clear up so the spots will be very much visible.

I need a second opinion, should we be cancelling and accepting no holiday this year or crack on, ignore the looks and explain ourselves if anyone askat

Go on holiday and don't go near crowds. Take loads of board games and card games to play indoors in your cabin so that you don't need to interact with anyone until they have scabbed over completely. Don't cancel your holiday because of CP.

DGS has not long been to Centre Parcs. DDIL’s parents bought them the holiday for her birthday and they went along too. Her dad is immunocompromised. He spent a lot of his time, while DGS, DS2 and DDIL were swimming, having nice woodland walks. It really irks me that people just carry on regardless because money is a lot for them to lose, yet they never think of what they could cause others to lose with their selfish behaviour.

My DS had it last month. As soon as I thought he was on the mend and they’d scabbed over, more appeared. I wouldn’t want to put anyone else at risk.

Both of mine have had CP, my son had them twice, and they both scabbed up really quickly. I think less than 5 days both times and like 3 when my son had it again. Do lots of oat baths and cover her in aqueous cream with zinc and she will be fine for Monday.
I'd avoid the pool as its likely to open up the spots and irritate her skin. But you'll be fine otherwise, just be sensible.

Absolutely terrible advice! Keep away from crowded areas like playground areas or bike ride trails where there are many others.

You should be past the infectious stage, so so should be able to go.

We were at the opposite end - we went CP and my DC was fine, if a little grumpy at the end (no temp of anything), which we put down to tiredness.

By the time we were home after a 2 hour drive, spots had started ro appear.. they would have been shedding CP virus for 2 days! With the number of children at CP, esp in rhe holidays, i can only imagine that this is not unusal (especially pre vaccine).

But the family can stay in their cabin surely? How's that impacting others if they do boardgames and order in food? Just for an example. If they isolate themselves away from others that's not selfishly infecting others, come on.

CALL THEM.

DH broke his leg the day we were going. Literally car packed. Kids to be collected from school.

they just moved it. They are human. And as family friendly as they can be. I was in some state as I called from hospital. He had been in a terrible accident. She just said I’m going to move it to a random day next year and when you can you can sort it to when it works for you.

The OP did in fact say this.

So a few things ….

1. just because your daughter feels well doesn’t mean she isn’t still contagious or have them. My kid was perfectly fine throughout. Please don’t use this as the litmus test.
2. it isn’t just being around other people - the people who clean your Villa eill be exposed and to an adult who hasn’t had them this can be shingles and be dangerous.
3. Timelines are for each kid so asking friends isn’t going to help you.
4. Why wouldn’t you call center Parcs and ask if they can move it a week - I’m sure given the circumstances they would accommodate.
5. So what’s the point in going if you can’t go to the done, petting zoo, any activities like swimming?

Your timeline is thin and unrealistic.

Reading through this thread as someone with less than 0.5/ul I am terrified and this is why I avoid crowded places. My child’s chicken pox started scabbing whilst he was getting new spots. Even before my condition, I would never do this. Yearly worldwide travel insurance should cover this sort of situation. Some people can get very ill based on your decision.

Oh just go. You can once they’re scabbed over!

Maybe speak to you GP?
My son had chickenpox,he took 2 wks to recover,I caught it from him,took 3 weeks to recover as I was 29 yrs,it's usually worse,the older you are!
I think you are more infectious just before the spots arrive & when they first start to appear?

Be prepared for looks of horror from other parents at the spots, as even if they’re scabbed over they can still look pretty bad!

She will be fine, mine all cleared within 5 days, was off school for 1 week only. By the sounds of things the contagious stage will definitely have passed by then, enjoy the break away.

RocketLollyPolly
What are your plans for once you’re there? Worse case scenario you can hang out in the lodge, feed the animals and birds on the patio, go for a walk in the woods etc even if she isn’t sufficiently clear

This op-you’ve a bit of wriggle room here in terms of staying away from people. The only issue might be staff making assumptions/ doing something

I work with children and would say most are back at nursery within a week, a few were 10 days.

i would get a long sleeved swim suit though

What? Why would multiple health organisations around the world (eg the NHS, CDC) just make that up. Why do you think research can’t tell contagious periods? We know lots about the contagious periods of all sorts of things.

When my eldest had it, hers had all scabbed over in about 4 days, she didn’t have loads, and I’d have taken her to centre parcs after that point no problem.
With my youngest she was absolutely covered and it took about 2 weeks for them to scab over. So we’d have had to cancel a holiday booked for 6 days after it started.

As long as they are all crusted over you're fine. It doesn't matter whether some people don't believe it's not contagious at that point, the NHS guidance is clear and you would be expected to have her back in school at this point.

Just check her very carefully to make sure you don't miss any that are still blisters.

If she's not completely crusted over, ask if you can move the break.

It’s not fair on pregnant women attending.

I agree generally with your post, but an adult is not going to catch shingles from this child. That’s not how you get shingles.
An adult who hasn’t had chicken pox would get chicken pox from them.

Yes. Centre Parcs specifically offers travel insurance right at the end of the booking process, you either click to accept it or click to decline it.

Either way, I hope she’s better before Monday. If she has visible spots that are not scabbed over you are likely to be asked to leave the swimming/communal areas so your plan for lots of walks is a good one if needed.

Even assuming she is past the infectious stage, she wouldn't be able to go swimming with all the scabs. If your kids are anything like mine, the swimming is the main event and I think I would rather lose the 50% and then rebook (if you can afford to) than pay the full price and not be able to use the pool. Rubbish to have to make that decision though.

I wouldn't take her swimming - I found the pool at Center Parcs very drying, much more so than our local council pool. It wouldn't suit her scabs to be dried out like that, and moisturising would be tricky, potentially leading to scarring.

Woodland walks, beach, lake activities, and eat outside at restaurants or cook in the cabin.

Aw OP, terrible timing I'm sorry! As long as theyve all scabbed over she isnt contagious. But just a heads up, my DD had a bad dose and got a second and third wave of spots which were worst than the first. We were stuck at home for two weeks!

When they had scabbed I kept her out the swimming pool for a few more weeks to look after the scabs. And other kids didn't want to play with her at the playground etc because the scabs still look bad.

I hope your dose isn't as bad!