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Original poster

Exposed to chicken pox and no immunity

20 replies

Tb20 · 08/02/2025 16:06

Hi
I'd like some help please. I'm 14wks+5 pregnant and my kids school has emailed 2 weeks ago saying there's been cases in all 3 of my kids classes. My kids have never had chicken pox before and apparently neither have I so I done a immunity test and came out that I have not had it and have no immunity. Forward 2 weeks and now 2 of my kids have chickenpox and I've obviously been exposed to them.
I'm very worried about what going to happen and don't know what to do. My midwife has said that I would need to start aciclovir anti viral on day 7.

Has anyone else been in this situation or has taken aciclovir antiviral for chicken pox exposure? Has it worked ? Did it prevent it from happening? And was baby okay?

Thank you x

OP posts:
MumChp · 09/02/2025 00:11

After having your child consider the chickenpox vaccine. You might have to pay but I didn't mind.

I hope the best for you and baby.

JC03745 · 09/02/2025 09:29

Your midwife is correct. You can't have the chicken pox vaccine when pregnant but can take acyclovir. It's commonly used in pregnancy for several other viruses also. I'm surprised that no one recommended getting the children vaccinated 2 weeks ago when you were first alerted to the school outbreak! Hopefully your midwife/GP are monitoring you and wishing you all the best.

SnakebitesandSambucas · 09/02/2025 17:41

Gosh you must be so scared. No advice but a handhold and I hope it works out well for you x

Original poster
Tb20 · 09/02/2025 20:56

MumChp · 09/02/2025 00:11

After having your child consider the chickenpox vaccine. You might have to pay but I didn't mind.

I hope the best for you and baby.

Thank you! And yes for sure in definitely getting the vaccine hopefully after i give birth, it's not worth the stress x

OP posts:
DragonFly98 · 09/02/2025 20:58

That’s shocking no one told you to test before you had children, I thought that was standard advice .

JimHalpertsWife · 09/02/2025 20:58

I went to the gp 2x when pregnant as also have never had CP. I had two massive needles in the arms both times. Can you call the GP surgery tomorrow and say you need an emergency appt as exposed to CP when pregnant.

Original poster
Tb20 · 09/02/2025 20:58

JC03745 · 09/02/2025 09:29

Your midwife is correct. You can't have the chicken pox vaccine when pregnant but can take acyclovir. It's commonly used in pregnancy for several other viruses also. I'm surprised that no one recommended getting the children vaccinated 2 weeks ago when you were first alerted to the school outbreak! Hopefully your midwife/GP are monitoring you and wishing you all the best.

Thank you for your reply!
Yes I've been given aciclovir tablets now to take on day 7 for 7 days im Hoping for the best x

OP posts:
Original poster
Tb20 · 09/02/2025 21:00

JimHalpertsWife · 09/02/2025 20:58

I went to the gp 2x when pregnant as also have never had CP. I had two massive needles in the arms both times. Can you call the GP surgery tomorrow and say you need an emergency appt as exposed to CP when pregnant.

Ive spoken to my midwife and apparently since December 2024 the guidelines have changed just my luck! They don't give injections anymore and you need to take the aciclovir antiviral tablets instead 7 days after exposure x

OP posts:
DragonFly98 · 09/02/2025 21:01

Tb20 · 09/02/2025 20:58

Thank you for your reply!
Yes I've been given aciclovir tablets now to take on day 7 for 7 days im Hoping for the best x

Show quote history

Day 7 of what exactly as your kids were contagious before their spots.

Original poster
Tb20 · 09/02/2025 21:01

DragonFly98 · 09/02/2025 20:58

That’s shocking no one told you to test before you had children, I thought that was standard advice .

I wish someone had told me this 😪

OP posts:
YouveGotAFastCar · 09/02/2025 21:02

I hold no immunity either; although I was told if my toddler got it; they’d start antivirals as long as I contacted them within 36 hours of him showing symptoms.

On the vaccine - I’d hold fire. We got it for free as I don’t hold any immunity, but 6/8 of my antenatal group paid for it. 5 have had chicken pox so far this year. Talking to immunology at the hospital last week, they’ve said it’s not been very effective since Covid and they’re looking at why. When we got it, they were still advertising a 98% efficiency to age 12… the hospital said they were seeing really high incidents of vaccinated children now getting it anyway, and while I know that’s always a possibility, they were supposed to get it less badly and all seem to have got pretty bad cases. Two lasted over two weeks and three had to go to A&E.

DragonFly98 · 09/02/2025 21:03

Tb20 · 09/02/2025 21:01

I wish someone had told me this 😪

Show quote history

It is good that you have the medicine but they did tell you day 7 was actually day 5/6 from when your first child got spots didn’t they?

Original poster
Tb20 · 09/02/2025 21:06

YouveGotAFastCar · 09/02/2025 21:02

I hold no immunity either; although I was told if my toddler got it; they’d start antivirals as long as I contacted them within 36 hours of him showing symptoms.

On the vaccine - I’d hold fire. We got it for free as I don’t hold any immunity, but 6/8 of my antenatal group paid for it. 5 have had chicken pox so far this year. Talking to immunology at the hospital last week, they’ve said it’s not been very effective since Covid and they’re looking at why. When we got it, they were still advertising a 98% efficiency to age 12… the hospital said they were seeing really high incidents of vaccinated children now getting it anyway, and while I know that’s always a possibility, they were supposed to get it less badly and all seem to have got pretty bad cases. Two lasted over two weeks and three had to go to A&E.

Oh wow that's absolutely insane so even after getting the vaccine 5 had chickenpox ? I wish I wasn't pregnant right now I don't mind catching it off my kids and getting it over and done with but its just the pregnancy situation stressing me out x

OP posts:
Original poster
Tb20 · 09/02/2025 21:07

DragonFly98 · 09/02/2025 21:03

It is good that you have the medicine but they did tell you day 7 was actually day 5/6 from when your first child got spots didn’t they?

Show quote history

So i noticed the blister spot on my daughter Friday, they said that I would then have been exposed 24 hours before that so I would need to take it on Thursday. Is that what you mean ?

OP posts:
DragonFly98 · 09/02/2025 21:08

Tb20 · 09/02/2025 21:07

So i noticed the blister spot on my daughter Friday, they said that I would then have been exposed 24 hours before that so I would need to take it on Thursday. Is that what you mean ?

Show quote history

Yes that is exactly it.

Original poster
Tb20 · 09/02/2025 21:09

DragonFly98 · 09/02/2025 21:01

Day 7 of what exactly as your kids were contagious before their spots.

Show quote history

7 days after exposure, so when I was exposed to chicken pox through my kids

OP posts:
Original poster
Tb20 · 09/02/2025 21:09

DragonFly98 · 09/02/2025 21:08

Yes that is exactly it.

Show quote history

Okay amazing thank you for confirming x

OP posts:
DragonFly98 · 09/02/2025 21:09

Tb20 · 09/02/2025 21:09

7 days after exposure, so when I was exposed to chicken pox through my kids

Show quote history

Yes sorry, I made a more coherent post after that one.

Printedword · 09/02/2025 21:12

DragonFly98 · 09/02/2025 20:58

That’s shocking no one told you to test before you had children, I thought that was standard advice .

It wasn't 19 years ago, because I wasn't told that.

SnakebitesandSambucas · 09/02/2025 22:18

I paid privately for both my kids to be vaccinated. No chicken pox so far 🤞🏻. But I have no rubella immunity. And tried to get my top up for over a year! But my appointment kept getting cancelled!!

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