Chickenpox outbreak at nursery

[VT2023]

So there is a chicken pox outbreak at DD’s nursery. We think she has already had it a few months ago (lots of little pimples but nothing major and she wasn’t ill - the pharmacist agreed it may be chickenpox). DD hasn’t picked anything up. DH and I are due to be visiting some friends and their newborn soon. Do we need to call it off? DD isn’t coming (and nor does she have chickenpox) but I worry about the incubation period and whether we might spread it to the newborn. Do I need to cancel the visit?

Have you and your DH had chicken pox? If so, even if your DD is incubating, you won’t be infectious.

This has always confounded me. We have had the chickenpox vax on the schedule here at 18mo for over 20 years (an estimate but I know mine over 20yo were all done as part of childhood schedule). It’s been brilliant at really stamping it out, not entirely as there is still an anti-vax faction, but even that’s quite limited as here they tie childhood vax to family payments called ‘No jab, No pay’ policy😁. Obviously there are medical exemptions for this where valid. It’s made such a difference with chickenpox and I’ve thought it weird you guys don’t have it.

I would delay the visit until you know which way the wind blows with this.

Why? The child isn’t going and as long as the parents have natural immunity, it’s more effective than a vaccine would have been in childhood.

Be aware it takes two weeks between exposure to the chicken pox virus and showing symptoms. My son caught chickenpox from sitting next to someone in a theatre production and it was two weeks before we saw any spots on him. Then, exactly two weeks after that, my daughter started getting the spots.

You are the most infectious just before the spots appear and this will be two weeks after the person has been exposed to the chickenpox virus.

Small pimples does not sound like chickenpox, the spots are liquid filled, so my suspicion would be your daughter hasn't had it before and is likely to be incubating it now.

However, as previous poster says, if you have both already had it then you shouldn't be able to transmit it to anyone else. I'd make sure to have thoroughly washed hands etc though just in case.

Just want to interject, you can get chicken pox more than once. You can suffer multiple times from it.

You can get chicken pox more than once but it’s rare, especially in people with normally functioning immune systems and most adults will be aware by now if they catch things multiple times.

Chicken pox vaccine will be offered as part of the routine childhood schedule in UK from Jan 2026

If you've both had it you're very unlikely to spread it. If you haven't then yes, I probably would avoid the newborn. If your daughter had it mildly enough that you weren't sure if she had it, she may well get it again 'properly'.

Both of mine had the jab privately as babies. I think a lot of people in the UK don't actually realise this is possible.

I understand the government are introducing it as standard from next year though.

They shouldn’t be given it as babies in the UK. Reputable places will only give it to one year olds and they need to either have it the same day as the MMR or a month either side of it.

They were 12 months old. Money well spent!! 😅

And yes, there has to be at least 4 weeks between.

I think that’s a great policy! Is that is the USA? As far as I know we don’t have anything like that in the UK but I think we should. I’m looking into getting the vaccination for her privately but she’s not 1 yet so I don’t think I can.

Thank you for the advice everyone! I think we will delay the trip - disappointing but it’s better to be safe than sorry I suppose.

I think that’s a great policy! Is that is the USA?

Nope, it’s Aus. It’s been so good in lifting vax rates.