Help calm my chicken pox paranoia!

[pokey]

OK, this may sound strange, but I am extremely paranoid since I am pregnant.

I was just a Blockbuster, and while I was standing in line, I noticed a teenage girl in front of me had something that looked like acne all over her cheeks, and looked like pink calamine lotion on top of it. At first I thought it was acne, but then I thought, maybe its the chicken pox. I don't know what that looks like, but her cheeks were all red and acne like, with pink stuff on top. (Did I already say that?)

Anyway, I have NEVER had chicken pox, and I am scared she gave them to me. I have no idea if I had the shot either because I was born some place else and my Mom doesn't remember. How contagious are they?

Am I being crazy?

 

[MrsPete]

It's not chicken pox season yet, so it was likely a rash from some other cause.

 

[ToTLaugher]

I would assume you are fine, but you can call your OB and talk to him/her about it. They can probably calm your fears better.

 

[Hedy]

With a teenager, I'd think it was acne, but who knows. Was it elsewhere too (around the collar of her shirt, arms)?

 

[pokey]

At first I thought it was acne, but then I noticed the pink stuff on top.
It was really bad though, and it looked like it was just on her cheeks, but she was dressed for winter so I didn't see it any where else. I just got out of there.

 

[Buckalew11]

Not sure if it was the chicken pox or not but the vaccine has only been out since 1995. You would probably remember having the shot, don't you think? Well, maybe not...but it should be on your vaccine records. Do you or your mom have them readily available? Best wishes on your pregnancy!

 

[pokey]

Then I definitely have not had the vaccine.
Grrrreeaaaaaaaaaaatttttttttttt!

 

[GoodFairies]

If it was chicken pox, she may not have still been contagious.

 

[alliecats]

I thought that once the pox were out, you weren't contagious anymore? If she is contagious with the pox, that was danged inconsiderate of her to go out in public like Typhoid Mary.
Good luck!!!

 

[flipturngirl]

do not worry about it. She would not have been out if she was still contagious.

 

[Sparx]

It may very well be Chicken Pox. I recently had a bought of them. They are ravishing my highschool.

(Yes I said highschool. its an epidemic)

 

[piglet too]

It is possible that the "pink stuff" was some sort of treatment for the acne.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

If you didn't touch her, or get sneezed on/coughed on, or otherwise "swap spit", the chances of you getting the chicken pox is pretty small. Of course it's contagious, but it usually requires a much longer/more significant exposure than you described.

Besides, if she did have chicken pox as a teenager, she'd be feeling pretty miserable and would be unlikely to be out and about. DH had chicken pox as a teen, and he was out of school and unable to get out of bed for nearly 3 weeks. Another friend had chicken pox in college, and she likewise couldn't get out of bed for 2 weeks, and even after that was very weak and not interested in moving much for another week or so. By the time both of them returned to public life, the spots had mostly cleared up. Did the teen look sick, or just like she had a rash? I'd bet she just had a bad rash and not chicken pox if she's dressed and standing up!

 

[CathrynRose]

It's not chicken pox season yet, so it was likely a rash from some other cause.

My son had the POX right around Thanksgiving.

 

[pokey]

Well, she looked fine. She was eating licorice in line with two other girlfriends.
I am hoping it was something else.
I can't stay indoors my whole pregnancy, I have to live, but this just scared me really bad!

 

[vettechick99]

I got the pox when I was 21. I don't know who I got it from since I never saw anyone with marks - that's when it spreads! Once you are scabbed over, you aren't contagious anymore. Even though my doc kept me out of school for that week, she said I would only be contagious a few days. And I had a fever with cold sweats, miserably scratching so I wasn't out and about.

I think you are ok. Pregnancy paranoia is fun, huh?

 

[CathrynRose]

I thought that once the pox were out, you weren't contagious anymore? If she is contagious with the pox, that was danged inconsiderate of her to go out in public like Typhoid Mary.
Good luck!!!

No, youre not contagious once it's "out" - once they show, youre not contagious.

I brought my son out and about with me during his episode. Poor thing was cooped up for 2 weeks (school's rule's - not mine)

And they went through his "vaccinated" school, like wildfire. I personally feel the vaccinations are part of the problem.

 

[icebrat001]

I've never had them either. I do not know if I had to vaccine when I was younger.

I wish you a happy healthy pregnancy.

 

[Glynis]

Not to cause you more anxiety, but I would call your doctor. It may not have been chicken pox, but it could have been something else. While I was pregnant with my twins, I was exposed to Fifth's Disease. It's symptoms are a rash on the chest, face and stomach that is red and sometimes looks like a slapped face. My older kids picked it up at school, and brought it home. I was told to check with my doctor immediately. I was tested, and was fine, but I felt much better after talking to my doctor.

There is enough to worry about while you are pregnant, so talk to an expert and put your mind at rest!

 

[jodifla]

No, youre not contagious once it's "out" - once they show, youre not contagious.

I brought my son out and about with me during his episode. Poor thing was cooped up for 2 weeks (school's rule's - not mine)

And they went through his "vaccinated" school, like wildfire. I personally feel the vaccinations are part of the problem.

uh, why would vaccinations be part of the problem? They spread like wildfire when I was in middle school 30 years ago....