Chicken pox

[mrsminniemouse]

I must admit I am a bit of an over anxious first time mum at the best of times (only this morning I was checking that they cut grapes in half at DD's playschool...)

Anyway, this morning as I drop DD 2.5 at playschool I hear mention of chicken pox. I asked the teacher and it seems that it is around a lot at the minute and several kids at playschool are off with it. This has put the fear of God in me! I really want DD to catch chicken pox, simply to get it out the way while she is so young. But if she catches in a couple of weeks (incubation is 14-21 days) it could show up and prevent us flying to Florida on 25 Feb.

I am pregnant, 15 weeks now and due to give birth in July. We don't normally travel to WDW in Feb but decided that this year it would be the best time. I will be 20 weeks pregnant. I did not want to go much more pregnant than that or when the baby is very small. We took DD at 6 months, that was great but even if we waited until early Dec new baby will be just 4.5 months and with DD it seemed like too much.

So if DD gets chicken pox and our trip is cancelled, we probably wont be able to go this year. Plus I have booked lots of great character meals for her. As we borrowed DVC points for this trip we would have to reschedule before end of July- I doubt we could do that.

Sorry for all the waffle, what I am asking really is shall I take her out of playgroup for the 3 weeks before we go? If she catches it soon we will be ok as she will be over it by end of Feb, but if she catches in say 3 weeks it could show up just as we are due to depart.

Any thoughts? I am immune from chicken pox by the way.
Mandy

 

[wilma-bride]

I do understand and appreciate your concerns - certainly, if anything threatened to spoil our trip, I would be over cautious.

You say you fly on 25th Feb, which means you have just over 4 weeks to go. As incubation period is 14 days, as you say if your DD catches it now she will be over it and fine to travel. If lots of kids are off with it already, chances are she will get it in the next couple of weeks if she's going to get it. Personally, I would leave her for this week. At the end of the week, speak to the teacher and see if there have been any more cases during the week. If not, I reckon you should be safe. If there have been, you could make a decision then.

All in all, though, it's up to you what you do. I can totally understand you not wanting to jeapordise (sp?) your trip but think you may regret taking her out of nursery for 3 weeks, especially if you are pregnant yourself. Whatever you decide, I hope she manages to avoid the pox and hope you have a great trip

 

[Deedee]

Hi Mandy my 15 year old DD has gone back to school today after 2 weeks off with chicken pox. No one else in her school has had it that we know of. My point is if anyone is going to get it they can pick it up anywhere. She was only ill for 2 days before the spots came out she felt fine after that. The only reason we kept her off that long is because she had loads on her face. Mandy stop worrying and look forward to your wonderfull hols good luck DEE

 

[BRobson]

The only thing I would be catious about is that if she is unlucky enough to get them before you go and still has spots when you fly you will need a letter from your doctor to state she is not contagious(not sure thats how you spell it)

My daughter developed Chikenpox when we were in WDW and although all the spots scabbed over before we were due to fly home BA wouldnt let us fly without a note.

Hope you dont have to worry about this.

Jackie

 

[gilld]

The chances are that if she is going to get it, she will be incubating it already. It's a bit of a no win situation really, but I'm not really sure there's any point in her taking time out of nursery now - she's already been in contact with others. Just keep your fingers crossed.

 

[Soprano]

Well, your thread title alone sent a shiver down my spine! Both my children have not had it yet!

As our holiday comes closer I find new things to worry about. My (still) missing in the post Disney tickets, the weather, crowds, and a few days ago Chicken Pox.

Not sure what I would do if told I couldn't fly out there!

 

[jdybnsn]

My son was only 'ill' with chicken pox for a couple of days and was only off nursery a couple of days as the doctor told me that after his spots came out he was no longer contageious anyway.

Strangely enough I was also 15 weeks pregnant when he had them and I was really worried as I'd never had chicken pox myself. However, the doctor assured me I was well past the 'dangerous' stage (before 6 weeks pregnant) for it to matter .....but test revealed that I too was naturally immune in any case (which I rather suspected as I'd often been exposed to the virus).

Don't panic, as I'm sure that if your child is going to get them it will probably sooner rather than later.

 

[Soprano]

A few facts

http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/skin/chicken_pox.html

 

[angel659]

Hi

My son has just caught the pox, but his twin brother and sister did not catch it at the same time. My aunt said hers caught it two weeks apart.

The nursery accepted Callum 7 days they all scabbed over. Apparently its contagious couple days before and when they first appear. As long as your lo catches it the latest week before you fly then you will be ok. All you need is a doctors note explaining its not contagious.

Perhaps for your own peace of mind let your lo stay off from end of next week. To be honest it may still not work, but at least you have given your best shot.

Good luck

 

[disneyholic family]

i probably would take her out now....if she's already incubating it, then she'll come down with it in the next 3 weeks and be done before you leave...
otherwise, she probably won't get it...

 

[MazdaUK]

As has already been said, too late to worry now!

My DS(12) was in contact with it loads of times from a very young age (6 months), including when he was being minded by my sister and her 4 all got it really badly. He didn't get it and was gloating he was immune...then his bother got it (3 at the time) and elder DS came down with it one week later! Its always around, but we just take more notice when we have something planned - like one of the mums who was planing her wedding with her daughter as a bridesmaid, and practically wrapped her in cling-film not to get it!

 

[mushumadness]

i wish i was immune to chicken pox (i have them four times, chicken pox never shingles lol)

arnt they just infectious before the spots come out? a two week incubation period?

if you dont want her to get them just in case maybe you should keep her off

 

[paulh]

you can only cath them when spots are not there wich is about 10 days before first spot is seen and no more than 5 days after then you are able to go back to school or work.The younger you are the less of an efect on you so in a way the younger the better.Dont forget chicken pox prevents smallpox gives body natural imunity have heard some pople in the states have [artys when there is chicken pox about so they can catch it for that reason even heard this from the older generation over hear.
Paulh

 

[patdavies]

arnt they just infectious before the spots come out? a two week incubation period?

They are contagious from approximately 2 days berfore the spots appear, until the spots have crusted (scabbed) over and are dry.


Chickenpox provides no immunisation against smallpox; which is eradicated anyway.

 

[angel659]

Hi

Just to give you an update on our chicken pox here. Ethan has now just come down with it. 12 days from when his twin brother got it. My daughter still no signs. She will prob come down with it in about 2 weeks time.

 

[mrsminniemouse]

Hi

Just to give you an update on our chicken pox here. Ethan has now just come down with it. 12 days from when his twin brother got it. My daughter still no signs. She will prob come down with it in about 2 weeks time.

Hope your son is coping ok with chicken pox, if your daughter catches it soon at least it will be out of the way! One less thing to worry about.

Mandy