Please tell me about chicken pox.

[numberthirtytwowindsorgardens]

DS (3) has one spot, which I'm pretty sure is cp (it's been rampant in his nursery for a while). What do I need to know? What are good remedies? How serious is it if my 3m old gets it?

(And any suggestions for how to keep two kids entertained in a house with no garden?!)

Aqueous calamine cream rather than lotion - much easier to apply and stays where you apply it. Liquid piriton was a godsend for us.

The chickenpox vaccine doesn't actually make you immune to shingles TulipsGarden, and wasn't designed to do so, but you're right in the sense that recent studies have shown it does offer quite a bit protection against developing the condition.

There is also a vaccine against shingles as you say. This is suitable for older people.

Sorry, OP, just in case others are considering it.

My DD is just coming to the end of having chicken pox and covid at the same time. She is 6 months and managed okay apart from being uncomfortable and a few tricky nights. I was worried as she is so little still but the doctor reassured us and she was okay. We used calpol and calamine and lots of baths. I blended oats with breastmilk and put them in the bath - no idea if this helped but she was at her happiest soaking in water. My 3 year old is coming up with spots now too so will be interesting to see how things develop. Hope your little one is okay 💕 definitely worth logging it with the doctor if they become uncomfortable and definitely if any of the spots look infected.

Ps there were a few nights where DD would literally not sleep anywhere but on me and DH. We were really worried that she wouldn't return to her better sleep habits but as soon as she started feeling better she did. Just a bit of reassurance incase you go through the same - might be worth coming up with a sleeping plan and taking shifts etc if you are able to.

Oh @numberthirtytwowindsorgardens sorry he is not quite feeling himself. Ds (4) has just had chickenpox and most spots came out on day 3. He only had about 5 spots for the first two days, so keep an eye out tomorrow. DS wasn't affected by it at all, not poorly, not itchy, we got very lucky! Even though I counted over 100 spots but most were tiny and not even blistery.

Day 14 since he first got spots and still waiting for his sister to catch it (6months old). Seems days 14-16 are most common so let's see if we make it through the next couple of days spot free!!

Can I have a quick sense check, please? DS has just been monumentally sick over me (despite having eaten almost nothing today - he even turned down chocolate); his fever is back up at 38.8 and he's beside himself with crying and shaking. I've given calpol, but is this normal? Do I need to call 111?

Any advice much welcomed!

Poor boy! Chicken pox can affect appetite and cause sickness but I would probably call 111 just for your peace of mind, they can check for any red flags.

Thanks for such kind messages, @Timeforanamechang 😊 hope your DD is still spotfree?

DS is really unwell, poor little boy. His temperature has been sky high all day (41.7 at one point 😱) and he's being sick and having diarrhoea in spite of not eating anything.

The doctor said there's nothing they can do except send us to A and E, and they won't do anything unless he's dehydrated; is there anything else I can do to helo him feel better? The itching isn't really the main problem, it's the general unwellness (seems a bit like flu).

Sounds like your poor boy is really going through it, and poor you as well as it's hard work looking after sick little ones. Hopefully someone will have some helpful advice, I think just lots of rest and sips of water to keep dehydration at bay.

I found the first spots on DD last night actually, on day 14 exactly. They are all over her scalp mainly, but only at the pimple stage for now. She has a couple of big blistery ones too but has been OK today. She was a bit warm at bedtime and sounds a little unsettled in her sleep now, so it might be an interesting night!

I went to the chemist for provisions earlier and they were all sold out of calamine lotion. Seems really rife in the area!

Oh, I'm sorry she's caught it too. At least it'll be out of the way for both of them? Hope it's not too bad for her!

DS2 caught it off DS1 at a week old despite bf. Had a few spots and was fine. Now 17 and never had it again.