Chicken pox! do they get a rash before the spots properly appear?

[jackamolsmum]

My DS started to get unwell on Thursday evening. After 2 days of temperature and general unwellness (tho no vomiting/diarrhoea) he seems better today and even ate soup for lunch.

Today I have spotted a rash on parts of his body that looks a bit like a heat rash but with several larger spots appearing- (calling all Chicken Pox veterans here!!)

Can chicken pox start this way? I've done the glass test and happy that its not anything more sinister. He's not had a temp since Friday so would a heat rash last that long?

I'm also pregnant at the moment- is it safe as long as you've had it as a child?

Thanks in advance on this!

I don't think any of my 3 had a rash before they got chicken pox spots but who knows they are all different. I was pregnant both times my my middle two had chicken pox!

Not sure about the rash thing, but some information on chicken pox in pregnancy here It says you have immunity if you had chicken pox as a child, but a friend of mine swears he's had it four times now

It doesn't say what happens if you develop shingles as a pregnant adult though

My dd's are in the throes of chicken pox now - both started with a few spots (no rash) and woke the next morning with lots of spots on their torso.

AFAIA you are safe in pg as long as you have had chicken pox previously, but i'm no expert so a quick call to the NHS would put your mind totally at rest.

You cannot catch shingles from chicken pox although you can catch chicken pox from shingles

Good luck

It's more likely to be a post-viral rash. My dd gets this every time - as soon as the fever starts to go a general rash appears on parts of her body for ~24-48 hours then disappears. If it was chicken pox you'd be seeing actually blister-like spots.

Never heard of anyone getting a rash with cp. Could it be slapped cheek/parvovirus instead?

He seems fine in himself today- no new spots and the rash hasn't spread-its just his arms and legs.

Thanks sugarmagnolia- I have a suspicion that if I go to the doctors he will give me the usual virus explanation anyway!

His cheeks aren't red so I guess that would rule out the slapped cheek virus?

looks like i'll have to play the waiting game then....

Thanks everyone for your input on this