Disney in 18 days and chicken pox strikes!!!

[Reese]

Help. We're leaving Feb 6th and one of my children came down with chicken pox two weeks ago. We've watched the other two that haven't had it and they've had no fever, no symptoms at all. Well this morning DD woke up covered in them. Can anyone tell me how long the incubation period is? Also how long are they contagious. My DD that got them first still has scabby dry spots so I know she's not contagious anymore but I'm thinking if the youngest gets them in another week or two will he be okay to go?

 

[Banshee]

I was told by our pediatrician that once exposed the incubation period is two weeks. We had a similiar thing happen last year when our oldest DS was exposed and I was very upset thinking we might not be able to go. But it worked out fine he never got them. I wish you lots of pixie dust and hope your vacation is wonderfull and chicken pox free!

 

[Banshee]

It sounds to me that your DS might be in the clear! (fingers crossed for you) But if your DD got them 2 weeks ago and the next DD woke up this morning with them.....then I would think if your DS hasn't already gotten them he might be ok! Unless they show up today for him. but even if they did you should be fine because you are not leaving for 18 days.

 

[debaudrn]

Chicken pox is a 14-21 day incubation period. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If your children have had the vaccination then the illness is usually less severe. DD8 got them last year (small outbreak at school, first since vaccination became available, was documented by DPH). She had only 5 pox, one was classic, the rest were just small red dots. She was better in a few days and we were able to send her back to school when the one "pox" crusted over. She wasn't sick at all. BTW, her twin brother who she spends a lot of time with and is also in the same class, never got them. Our pedi thinks that some children have a stronger immune response to the vaccine than others, DS's must have been stronger. Here's some PD, hope you make your trip!

 

[PoohHappens]

Hi, sorry to hear about your families illness. I am a nurse, now working L&D but used to work peds. On average incubation is 14days, however, it can be anywhere from 9-21days. It is passed through direct contact with the blisters or through repiratory droplets like a cold. Have any of your kids had the vaccine, that often prevents the virus, but on the rare occasion someone still gets it it lessens the illness. Some people just have an immunity to the virus too. How old are you kids and who does not have it yet? That can play a factor as well. It is possible that the one without has an immunity and will not get it, will develop it in the next week from the initial exposure, or did not get a significant enough exposure and may get it from this new case which would be 9-21days from now. You are no longer contagious once all leisions are crusted over. The problem is that from the 1st day you break out you develope new spots for the first few days so this can lengthen the time. Are you flying or driving? Airlines will not let you on if your child has visible leisions and if the are still visible but all crusted they may require a medical note stating the child is no longer contagious. You should be in the clear except the third child. Feel free to PM me if you have other questions. I really would be interested in how old the last child is and also if they ever get it. Good luck.

 

[PoohHappens]

Reese,
I just reread your OP It looks like you have more kids and it looks like you are pregnant, this is an issue, have you called your OB?

 

[kellyg403]

Christmas day my yds woke up with the chicken pox. He was scabbed over and ready for school by the first day back to school on Jan 3. ODS woke up covered in them 3 days later! Both had the chicken pox shot and yds had a mild case and older son (11) had a much worse case. He was out of school for 9 days. YDS brought a note home the day before break saying several children in his class had them. I thought, no big deal..they had the shot! So I guess the shot is not 100%! I hope that everyone is in the clear before your trip..sending good health vibes your way!

Kelly

 

[java]

First off if you have had them- no worries on the pregnancy(btdt) and generally the incubation time is 10 days. And it would be unusual for your youngest to catch them from your middle unless he spends way more time with middle than the one that originally got the Pox! And they are contagious until they are completely scabbed over!! every single pox has to scab over. That can happen in about 5-7 days. Good luck and fingers crossed that you have seen your last pox!

 

[daisyduck123]

I would ask the doctor, since you've probably been there lately.
It is for stuff like this which is the reason we always buy trip insurance.

 

[Miss_Will_Turner]

I had chicken pox a while back, but they left soon enough. Godspeed to the healing of your child.

 

[chop456]

Both my kids had the vaccination and still "got the pocs". My daughter's disgnosis was too late but for my son we diagnosed within 24 hours and he was able to get on a prescription which lessened the amount of pocs. I cannot remember the name of the medicine, but it would be wirth a call to your doctor. I think I recall him telling me if they get on the medicine within 3 days, it will be beneficial. None on his face and just a few on his arms.

 

[Reese]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. My youngest broke out shortly after I posted and when I called from work Dh informed me that my other DD (that had them last year), broke out too. So hopefully they'll make a speedy recovery.

 

[java]

Ah the lucky 2 timers! I also had chicken pox twice as did my oldest son- much to his dismay. If you have a mild first case there is a good possibility you will get it again- Well now at least you can deal with it all at once and hopfully everyone will be all clear for the trip and ready to PARTY!!

 

[emh1129]

Hope you all feel better soon! I hope you will all be in the clear to enjoy your trip.
Better not let the word spread, though, or you will have people wanting to come over for a chicken pox party