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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

measles/chicken pox at work

9 replies

weebigmamma · 29/01/2014 16:46

I work with children and have just been emailed to say that 2 kids have been sent home with suspected measles or chicken pox (they don't know which yet but could be either). Should I stay off? Last thing I need is more stress right now. ffs.

OP posts:
amy246 · 29/01/2014 18:54

Yes, stay off. It's too great a risk. Maybe talk to your gp also

sdaisy26 · 29/01/2014 20:02

My understanding is that the risk with chickenpox is only if you haven't had it before (& therefore may catch it). Rubella (measles) immunity is tested in your booking in bloods so again, you ought to know whether or not you are at risk of catching it. If you've already had chicken pox, and your bloods showed that you are immune to rubella, then I would think you are fine to keep working. If one of those isn't the case, then I'd be getting advice from gp / mw I think.

addictedtosugar · 29/01/2014 20:05

I agree with sdaisy
Check your maternity notes, and ask yuor Mum if you've ever had chicken pox if you don't know.

Jolay100 · 29/01/2014 20:52

If you've had chicken pox you should be okay. Measles is not the same as rubella ( which is also known as German measles) so rubella immunity doesn't mean you won't get measles. The problem with both chicken pox and measles is that the children are infectious before they develop symptoms so staying off might not help if you've already been exposed. Speak to your gp / midwife.

Parliamo · 29/01/2014 20:56

How old are you? You should be vaccinated against measles if you are under about 34, I think from memory. And chicken pox you have more than likely had.

CrispyFB · 29/01/2014 22:32

I caught measles (not German measles) at 10 weeks with DC2 back in 2008 from DC1, who was just about due to be vaccinated.

I'd had measles as a child AND been vaccinated. I fell into the small percentage of people who get it regardless, however I had enough antibodies to get "modified measles" which is a mild form.

The vaccines given in the 1980s and before only provided 90% immunity to measles (not sure about rubella or mumps) which is why these days children have a second booster not long after to make it up to 99% immunity. I guess I fell into the first 10% and then despite catching measles clearly it still wasn't enough! I also had rubella twice as a child before vaccination, but I do have the antibodies now.

There's very little research on regular measles in pregnancy because vaccination has pretty much eradicated it aside from the odd outbreak here and there, so at the time it was very hard knowing what might happen. Research papers I found ranged from a 1 in 100 chance of something going wrong to a 1 in 3. Not very reassuring!

DC2 was fine as it happens. In fact because measles in pregnancy is so rare, I asked a research hospital if they wanted to see if DC2 had antibodies (i.e. had it crossed the placenta?) so I got her tested. She wasn't immune so clearly she'd never even been touched by it.

Rubella (German measles) is another kettle of fish altogether, but most girls were vaccinated at school I seem to recall. It's one of the things they test for with your antenatal bloodwork as well - they would tell you if you were not immune.

Chicken pox is, I think, only really risky if you have it around birth, but don't quote me on that. Most people are immune though having been exposed at some point before now.

Find out if it is measles or German measles if you can - only German measles (rubella) is tested for with your antenatal bloodwork. And ask your parents if they're available to be asked if you've had chicken pox.

weebigmamma · 31/01/2014 16:03

Thanks all. I have had both measles and chicken pox so I should be OK then but I'll check to make sure the kid didn't have German measles. I did get a vaccination against rubella when I was at school tho. Thank you, I just panicked a bit as it has been a stressful week! :-)

OP posts:
smileyjess · 31/01/2014 23:57

I work in an infection control ward and our policy is: as long as uve had chicken it s fine but they like u to have proven immunity so u can't sue them. You prove immunity by a simple blood test that takes 2-3days for a result so might be worth getting this done for your own reassurance. Hope this helps.
Smile jess

weebigmamma · 01/02/2014 09:39

Thanks Jess. x

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