to object to a coughing chicken-poxed child approaching my new baby...?!?!

[poodlepusher]

Easter Monday we were in a park cafe when this 5 yr old girl approaches our table and COUGHS all over us. SHe had very live chickenpox all over her face and neck and looked like she should be in bed.

Her dad came over and all he did was put his hand in front of her coughing mouth and lead her away.

I was STUNNED. So much so that I actually couldn't say or do anything.

I know its good to get chickenpox out of the way in childhood, but my new baby hasn't had all her immunisations yet and frankly I'd like her to be a few months older before she has to suffer something like that!

[chickytwotimes]

Yes, it dirves me nuts when I see kids out with obviously live chickenpox. I encountered 2 last year in the chemist with their mum. there is a waiting area which is out of the way of others which they could have used, but, no, they just stood around amongst all the other already ill people!

[chickytwotimes]

oh. and the chemist should have asked them to wait there too. There are often immunocompromised people in the chemist, ffs!

[poodlepusher]

Thank you.
yes, there were old and pregnant people in the cafe too - not just my new baby.
I'm glad I froze actually, as if I'd had my wits about me I think I might have shouted at the dad.

[nickytwotimes]

Hope your lo is okay.
(btw, just changed back from my easter name.)

[poodlepusher]

Time will tell - I understand its potentially a 11-20 day incubation period. I am already obsessively checking her for spots though. urgh.

[Greyriverside]

chickytwotimes, Presumably none of those already ill people were contagious?

I agree with avoiding contact if contagious, but going to a chemist or doctor is what you're supposed to do if ill.

My GP's waiting room is always full of sick people. They have no consideration.

[nickytwotimes]

By ill, I meant immunocompromised. Or pregnent with no immunity (like me soon, hopefully!)

[poodlepusher]

Actually, our GP has a separate area for potential chickenpox kids, precisely so that they do not infect already ill people with low immune systems. It makes sense.

[poodlepusher]

Fingers crossed Nicky, on the TTC front -

[nickytwotimes]

So does ours. And the chemist. Just wish people would exercise a little common sense!

[nickytwotimes]

[dingdong05]

I thought the infectious time for chicken pox as just before the spots appear, Is that right?
Maybe the dad was too embarrassed to say sorry on behalf of dd?

[scottishmummy]

Understandably alarming for you but it may have been that her chickenpox was no longer infectious (After the last blister has burst and crusted over, you are no longer infectious). so yes she maybe did have obvious crustations but no longer actively infectious.The most infectious period is from two or three days before the rash appears and up to five days after this date. Children may return to school/nursery as soon as the last 'crusts' have dropped off

[scottishmummy]

poodlepusher - babies and children experience chickenpox with less severity of symptoms. some parents actually favour exposing their baby/child to it young

Should I let my child catch chickenpox?

Some parents encourage their children to mix with others who have chickenpox in order to catch it.

Some arguments for this:

Chickenpox is usually a milder illness in a child than in an adult.

Most people get chickenpox at some stage. As the risks are less if you have it as a child, it may be better to get it over with.

Some arguments against this:
"I could not willingly let my child develop an illness."
Although rare, some children do have serious complications.
Different parents have different views on this issue.

It is dangerous for pg women yes
The risk of serious complications is higher in adults with chickenpox. In particular, chickenpox during pregnancy can cause serious complications to both mother and baby.

immunocompromised is usually very unwell eg cancer

healthy children are not immunosuppresed

[poodlepusher]

Yes I'm aware of all that - the GP printed off those exact words for me

When I said her chickenpox was "live" it was because she was close enough for me to see that not all of them had crusted over.

the same info sheet from the GP says that infectious stage is from incubation through til the last spot has crusted.