Chickenpox

[ruthie]

Just wondered if I'm being paranoid, but theres a chickenpox epidemic at my childs school and the preschool. We travel to Orlando on 26th May, we've been looking forward to it for ages and made loads of ADR's and plans, the kids are so excited! I've decided to keep my 2 year old away from the toddler group (where kids have the illness) and have tried to limit the time I/he spends with people I know have been ill, am I being unreasonable? My daughter had it when we were in Spain and we had a terrible time, unable to use the pool and having to fully clothe her in the sun! I'm sure the airline wouldn't let you fly if you had any sign of illness. Wouldn't want to cancel, but am I being over the top?

 

[Disney owl]

No I don't think you're being over the top because if your little one gets it you would def have to cancell. And it's not as if your'e keeping them from school.

But just remember that The kids are infectious before the spots appear! And go prepared.

Good luck

 

[a_hobden]

On our very first trip back in 1992 my sister came down with chickenpox during our second week! she's wasn't allowed to fly home untill it had fully cleared so her and my mum had to stay another week after my dad and I flew home. They spent the week in the hotel room as my sister couldn't go out.

 

[Shane]

Tough call, most parents I have spoken too dont mind if there children get chickenpox, sooner the better infact, but going on holiday in around 2 weeks could all go pair shaped, chickenpox doesnt usually last that long but then yout ake the risk of not being allowed to fly. Have you asked the school for advice / taking her out?

 

[ruthie]

My daughter is age 7 at school and already had chickenpox. Its only my son age 2 that I'm worried about. It seems that its mostly the pre-schoolers that have it, so I'll just keep him away from them.

 

[AndRu]

I missed a school trip to France because I was just getting over chickenpox after catching it from my sister. Yet when they wre in France about 6 kids went down with it so I could've gone!

If you weren't going on holiday on the 26th I would suggest sending your son to catch CP to get it out of the way. It's much easier to deal with when you're younger IMHO.

However, as you are going in 15 days time I would be wrapping him in cotton woll and protecting him from the outbreak. It's not worth risking a holiday over!

Fingers crossed for you!

 

[ruthie]

Any other time would be fine.....

 

[coastergirls]

Twice when we have been going to florida in May we have had to remove chidren from toddlers and playgroup to avoid getting the chickenpox. Always seem to be on the go from March till May and by the time we have 3 weeks to go and haven't had them we have taken them out . We tried exposing them when we haven't been going away with no luck!!
Then when we had gone to Alton Towers for a couple of days youngest 2 came down with it at the same time and to this day we have no idea where they got it from. Eldest daughter go it from them 2 weeks later the day of her birthday party. I had spoken to everyone prior to the party to tell them that she would probably have them and everyone was happy to expose their kids to it. A lot of kids missing from her class for weeks after that!!
I would keep him at home if you can . Not worth the risk of losing your holiday. I know quite a few others who have also had to do this !

 

[sue&and]

Totally agree with AndRu. If you wern't going on holiday then catching it is by far the best thing to do as it can be much worse if caught as an adult. However, as you'll be unable to fly (and quite rightly so) I would advise keeping him away from pre-school, it's one less thing to worry about

Sue

 

[catherine]

When we visited my DMIL in the States for Christmas and New Year Dec'04, a couple of days before we were due to fly home my youngest DD started with Chicken Pox. I figured that we were going to have to change our flights etc. and stay there for at least another week. However when we went to see the doctor he said that there was would be no problem with her flying, and we did just that. We were questioned by the airline, who asked to see a letter from the doctor stating that she was ok to fly.

 

[sue&and]

I'm absolutely amazed and appalled that a doctor gave the OK for someone to fly with the chickenpox virus. My DS2 is permanently on steriods due to kidney disease and as such is classed as immune suppressed. I'm constantly on high alert for him coming into contact with chickenpox or shingles as this virus can have acutely serious implications for him. That is worse case scenario but what about everyone else on the flight who is perfectly well and is confined in such a small space not even aware that a child has full blown chicken pox! Staggering

Sue

 

[tashasmum]

On our first trip to florida 92 my daughter caught chickenpox 2 days before we should have flown. We thought we had got away with it because they had been going round pre-school from the april and we didn't fly until june but no such luck. Because she only had a few on her back we thought that she would be ok to go but we had to cancel as the airline wanted 7 clear days from when the last spot came out. We had to cancel along with the other party of 2 that were coming with us.We re-booked for two weeks later and then in the middle of the first week there my dh got them really bad,couldn't go out for 4 days and we had to get permission from a doc before we could come home. I would definitely keep them off school but chances are if they are going to get them the virus could already be in there system.Now we only pack the night before we are going we were that gutted. Hope everything works out for you.

 

[catherine]

I'm absolutely amazed and appalled that a doctor gave the OK for someone to fly with the chickenpox virus. My DS2 is permanently on steriods due to kidney disease and as such is classed as immune suppressed. I'm constantly on high alert for him coming into contact with chickenpox or shingles as this virus can have acutely serious implications for him. That is worse case scenario but what about everyone else on the flight who is perfectly well and is confined in such a small space not even aware that a child has full blown chicken pox! Staggering

Sue

When DH and I stated our concerns to the Dr he said that it wasn't viral and someone could only catch it if they messed with one of the pox! DH and I figured that we must somehow be confused!

 

[alisonbestford]

When DH and I stated our concerns to the Dr he said that it wasn't viral and someone could only catch it if they messed with one of the pox! DH and I figured that we must somehow be confused!

I think you could quite safely say that it was the doctor who was confused........

Blimey, your life in their hands

 

[princess jackson]

We were in the same boat last year, DD school had a problem.

I kept her away from nursery just in case she only missed the last 2 days before breaking up for Easter.

The same this year, i just wish she would have it and get it over and done with, lol.

Anyone in the North east with it so i can bring her over to catch it lol

 

[sue&and]

My comments wern't aimed at you or your DH Catherine, just at the doctor involved. As Alison says, we put our lives in their hands .........

Sue

 

[Lisash]

I'm probably going to get slammed for this but I deliberately 'gave' it DD when she was about 7 or 8. Every year around holiday time it would start doing the rounds and I would spend weeks worrying she would get it and that we would have to cancel whatever holiday we had planned so when a schoolfriend got it I took her to play a couple of times. It was such a relief when she got it and it was no longer hanging over us. DS wasn't a problem as he got it at only 11 months. It's nice not to have to worry about it any more

 

[wideeyes]

I'm probably going to get slammed for this but I deliberately 'gave' it DD when she was about 7 or 8. Every year around holiday time it would start doing the rounds and I would spend weeks worrying she would get it and that we would have to cancel whatever holiday we had planned so when a schoolfriend got it I took her to play a couple of times. It was such a relief when she got it and it was no longer hanging over us. DS wasn't a problem as he got it at only 11 months. It's nice not to have to worry about it any more

That is actually a good idea to do as it is safer to have it as a child than an adult. some people have chicken pox parties when there is an out break so there children can catch it.

 

[wideeyes]

I think you could quite safely say that it was the doctor who was confused........

Blimey, your life in their hands

I agree chicken pox is a respiratory virus.. i.e it enters the body though the air ways. so I would not think it would be ok for some one to fly with chicken pox.

 

[DebIreland]

Just wondered if I'm being paranoid, but theres a chickenpox epidemic at my childs school and the preschool. We travel to Orlando on 26th May, we've been looking forward to it for ages and made loads of ADR's and plans, the kids are so excited! I've decided to keep my 2 year old away from the toddler group (where kids have the illness) and have tried to limit the time I/he spends with people I know have been ill, am I being unreasonable? My daughter had it when we were in Spain and we had a terrible time, unable to use the pool and having to fully clothe her in the sun! I'm sure the airline wouldn't let you fly if you had any sign of illness. Wouldn't want to cancel, but am I being over the top?

You're not being over the top at all. Thank your lucky stars that your daughter already had it (nasty and all as it can be) because she would surely get it now as I'm sure you couldn't keep her out of school right up to the trip. However, I would definitely keep the 2 year old away from everyone who has or might have the virus right now - I'm sure people will understand why you don't want to take the chance. If they don't understand and call anyway with an infected child (or potentially infected one) you just need to tell them that you're extremely busy right now with packing, shopping etc. for your holiday.

One thing that concerns me is that your daughter, whilst immune, might potentially carry the disease, not in the traditional sense of having it and passing it on, but if she is in very close contact with someone who has the actual spots right now, she could rub her arm against a chicken-poxed (!) arm and could literally bring that 'spot' home. Ugh! I know, that sounds over the top. If I were you I'd have her change clothes immediately when she gets in from school and shower too as soon as possible.

We went through quite a traumatic 6 weeks (!!!) of chicken-pox last year. My then 8 year old had it first, 2 weeks later my 11 year old caught it and 2 weeks later my 1 year old caught it. Baby and 8yo flew through it, no problem other than very mild discomfort. My 11 year old really suffered as he had the 'adult' version and was awfully sick and uncomfortable. Had I not experienced it first-hand I wouldn't have believed how differently it can affect different people, most likely due to age. At the same time as my 8yo caught it, DH's sister was rushed to hospital with bacterial meningitis - the very nasty version. We went to great lengths to eliminate not just direct contact with her obviously so she would not get chicken pox and add to already greatly weakened immunity but also stopped contact with all other family members so they would not get it and pass it on. It was a nightmare! Thank God she didn't catch it. She made a full recovery too. I'm rambling. At the time though we sought a lot of advice and were told that whilst there was a slim chance, a person who had it could carry it (as I mentioned above) *on* them so regular changing of your daughter's clothes and showering should help.

I have my fingers crossed for you but I do think that your greatest worry would have been your older child catching it and as she already had it, you're probably safe!