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Original poster

Need advice - chicken pox

26 replies

monkeyfun · 16/09/2022 12:33

I have a 10 week old baby. Due to go to a party this weekend the baby whose party it is has chicken pox which have only just appeared today!
I know it's risky when you're pregnant. I have googled it and it says it's rare for babies to get it within their first year but I don't want to take any risks at all, if there is any chance of my baby getting it. I have no idea about chicken pox really. Any advice?

OP posts:
OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 16/09/2022 12:37

Surely the baby needs to have their party postponed, their parents can't inflict their infectious child on all their guests!

Original poster
monkeyfun · 16/09/2022 12:39

@OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea
They haven't said they've cancelled but that a lot of people have dropped out. And others are taking their babies purposefully so they get chicken pox out of the way!
But mine is just 10 weeks old.

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dementedpixie · 16/09/2022 12:41

Do not expose your baby to chickenpox. Getting chickenpox under one year increases the risk of childhood shingles. My ds had CP at 5½ months old and shingles at age 3.

And chickenpox is very contagious and is airborne so being in the same room is a risk. They should be cancelling the party

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Original poster
monkeyfun · 16/09/2022 12:44

@dementedpixie
God shingles are truly horrendous aren't they. I had them when I was a teenager and it was awful. I wouldn't want baby getting that.
I feel awful not going to the party but it feels like a big risk with a baby so young.
I know of someone a few months ago where the exact same thing happened and they went ahead with the party but only a handful of people went. I didn't because I was pregnant at the time

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Wolfiefan · 16/09/2022 12:46

People are fuckwits if they deliberately try to infect their child with chicken pox. It can sometimes be extremely serious and even life threatening.

Garman · 16/09/2022 12:50

You don't go, it's very simple. Chicken pox can have very serious complications, and scarring.

SBAM · 16/09/2022 12:52

The party should be cancelled or postponed. Baby will be contagious for up to a week, and it’s parents are irresponsible to go ahead.
Please don’t take your baby, there can be very serious side effects if they do catch it (incredibly rare, but better not to risk it for such a little baby in my opinion).

Twizbe · 16/09/2022 12:52

I wouldn't go. It's good to get it out the way if you're not vaccinating. But 10 weeks isn't a good age to get it.

LIZS · 16/09/2022 12:55

Cp can be very dangerous. Yes many babies will have immunity or get it mildly but it can still be serious and cause complications for some. Why deliberately take that chance? It can also be nasty for adults who may not have had it as a child.

Cantthinkofaname99 · 16/09/2022 12:56

My oldest had chicken pox a few months ago when my youngest was only about 8 weeks old. Luckily the little one didn't seem to catch it or if he did it was very mild/ not noticeable.
Health visitor at the time said that if little ones get it it does tend to be mild and as I was breastfeeding he would likely get some immunity from me.

Although I still don't think I would knowingly expose a small baby to it if it could be avoided.

Original poster
monkeyfun · 16/09/2022 13:11

@Wolfiefan
It does baffle me when people do this. Some have 'chicken pox parties' don't they?!

OP posts:
OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 16/09/2022 13:26

My perfectly healthy, no underlying conditions child was hospitalised with chicken pox just before their 3rd birthday. I used to think of was mild, that it was better to expose your child and get it out of the way. Funnily enough I've changed my mind on that one!

Jules912 · 16/09/2022 13:33

My DS got it as a baby and it was mild, but he then got it properly a year later so obviously got no immunity.
DD was really quite poorly with it and spent most of a week in bed.

Throwawaytoday · 16/09/2022 13:37

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 16/09/2022 13:26

My perfectly healthy, no underlying conditions child was hospitalised with chicken pox just before their 3rd birthday. I used to think of was mild, that it was better to expose your child and get it out of the way. Funnily enough I've changed my mind on that one!

Like @OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea - I'd always considered CP to be a boring old rite of passage, bed for a few days, cold drinks, all kids get it...

BUT last year when DD was at nursery five children caught CP, and THREE otherwise completely healthy kids were hospitalized, one for over a week and with very serious complicated.

We avoided catching it and had DD vaccinated as soon as we were sure she didn't have it.

Throwawaytoday · 16/09/2022 13:38

*complications

Original poster
monkeyfun · 16/09/2022 13:56

@OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea
Oh god that must have been terrifying.
DP has said we should consider still going because we can't just shield her away from everything and 'she has to catch it sometime'. But I don't think DP realised how dangerous it can be!
I've read these comments and it's safe to say it's the right decision not to go.

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TheOpportuneMoment · 16/09/2022 14:11

My 7mo had just had chicken pox, he caught it from his older brother. He was so so ill. 10 days of absolutely misery, sky high temperatures and absolutely no sleep. He was covered in spots and will likely be scarred. I wouldn't inflict that on a tiny baby by choice.

Garman · 16/09/2022 14:25

She absolutely does not have to catch it. There's a vaccine for it now, my dad is getting it next month when she turns 1.

Wolfiefan · 16/09/2022 14:27

@monkeyfun I thought that had died out years ago. Obviously not!

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 16/09/2022 14:29

monkeyfun · 16/09/2022 13:11

@Wolfiefan
It does baffle me when people do this. Some have 'chicken pox parties' don't they?!

I thought that was just an 80s/early 90s things?

Jellycatrabbit · 16/09/2022 14:35

My dd had chicken pox at 5 months, she was so so poorly and the pharmacist couldn't give her anything to help as she was too little for antihistamines, could only have limited calpol, etc etc. The scars have taken ages to fade.

"They've got to get it" applies from 12m+ imo and I'd vaccinate for preference although obviously too late for us.

whereareyounoww · 16/09/2022 14:36

What the fuck is wrong with people? Taking their child to the party to "get chicken pox out the way". Moronic

Snugglemuffins4me · 16/09/2022 14:43

I got it when I was six weeks and have pox dents on my face ! I wouldn’t be bringing my baby anywhere near anyone with them . I actually stopped my child from going to preschool when there was an outbreak when our baby was 1 week old thankfully none of them caught it .

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 16/09/2022 14:47

I’ve also heard recently of many children being hospitalised with it. People with contiguous CP (spots not crusted over) should be going near members of the public as it very dangerous for numerous people and certified isn’t something to be encouraged.

Original poster
monkeyfun · 16/09/2022 15:08

@Wolfiefan @Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas
Apparently it still happens! I've heard a few people say it recently. Very odd. I'd be so worried or my DD catching it. Didn't realise just how serious it is though until I read these comments. DP thought I was being over sensitive or dramatic/ over protective when I said about not going.

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