chicken pox exposure - wwyd?

[fuckbadger]

My ds's friend has come down with chicken pox, the day after they were playing together (which involved lots of snotty/slobbery kisses) so I'm pretty sure he is going to get it. We're on day 13 now and still no sign of any spots but there are still 8 days to go before the incubation period is over and I know its contagious from the day before the spots appear. We usually go to loads of toddler groups, parks, swimming, softplay etc and I'm not sure if I should be keeping him away just in case the spots are about to appear or carry on as usual until he is definitely showing symptoms. There seem to be pregnant women and tiny babies everywhere atm and I would hate to spread it to any of them but it seems a bit silly to be keeping him cooped up when he might not even get it. Any advice anyone?

Apologies for lack of paragraphs, my iphone appears to have eaten them!

Bump

Tricky. I had the same situation pre-Christmas last year -- bound to catch it due to circumstances etc. and I have 2 kids and was due back to work in Jan so was not very happy at prospect of them getting it one after the other! Plus travelling for Xmas to see family, where there were other small kids who hadn't had it.

But, we warned family, they said come, staying out of public places not a problem over the Christmas period and lots of new toys to occupy. By early Jan they still hadn't caught it, I kept them off the childminder for the remaining 5 days and the buggers never ever caught it!

This year alone they have been exposed (including close play at childminders with a string of other mindees who all got it) at least 4 times. And have never caught it. So whilst the first time I was very cautious, by the second and third I had reached pragmatic which was that if they became spotty I would immediately quarantine, but otherwise I could not know if they had it or not so it was silly to stay in for 3 weeks each time (and also not practical, the amount of money I'd have lost in work and childcare fees).

I would say go out, but if going to playdates or people's houses then please warn them beforehand that child has been exposed to CP and let them make the decision. I'd probably avoid toddler groups, but would see park/swimming etc as fair game.

Not sure if that helps or not!

I would do nothing.

You don't know when spots will come out or even if they will. You can't keep your child away every time he is exposed to chicken pox because he will be exposed regularly over his childhood. While the child doesn't have spots he doesn't have chicken pox and that is all that matters. Just carry on and if spots come out you deal with it then.

Thank you both for your advice, we have been out today with some friends whose dc's have all had cp already so it wasn't a problem. I noticed a few little spots on his back when I got him ready for bed so hopefully he's got it so its out of the way (it feels strange wishing for my ds to be ill!) Ds is a very energetic child who doesn't cope well with being stuck indoors so I'm glad neither of you were horrified at the idea of me taking him out when he could be contagious!