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Children's health

anyone's baby had chicken pox?

8 replies

nicewarmslippers · 10/02/2009 09:55

My ds is 4 months (and big and healthy). We were planning to spend this weekend with a friend whose 3 year old now has Chickenpox. My dd (also 3) had it at 2 and was fine and I am glad she had it young but when is too young? it is OK to expose ds (4 months) now?

OP posts:

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nickytwotimes · 10/02/2009 09:57

It would be okay I guess, but some people say that if they get it very young, the immunity doesn't last. I have no idea how true this is.

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HeadFairy · 10/02/2009 09:57

Ds had it at about 9 months iirc. He was fine, had a very mild dose. Your ds might still have some immunity from you if you're immune so if he does catch it, it might be a mild dose. Does your friend's 3 year old have the spots? Have they crusted over? If so then it's no longer infectious anyway so you may get away with it.

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PerArduaAdAmor · 10/02/2009 09:58

Quick question - are you BFing? This would give more immunity if so.

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Wheelybug · 10/02/2009 10:05

It is often said (don't know if its true though) that if a child has chicken pox under 1 they aren't immune and would probably get it again. That said, the babies I know that have had it, have had it very mildly.

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mistlethrush · 10/02/2009 10:07

Yes, ds got it at 3mo when I was exclusively bf - caught it at a coffee morning. It took a long time to diagnose ds as everyone discounted chicken pox as he was bf - until on day 5 of illness went to the out of hours doctor and then managed to find one spot that was 'distinctive' which made them definitely diagnose cp. But it wasn't too bad.

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mistlethrush · 10/02/2009 10:08

Re Wheelybugs comments - the nursery ds went to had regular outbreaks of cp with up to 12 of the children in his group off - he hasn't got it again, and that has probably topped up his immunity too.

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onepieceofbrusselssprout · 10/02/2009 10:09

dd2 had it at 8 months - just after her older sister. She was covered in spots.

I have heard (no idea if this is reliable) that it can be "dangerous" for a small baby under 1 year to catch it, it is best avoided.

Tbh if your friend's 3 year old has it now, by the weekend he/she will probably not contagious. Apparently after 5 days, or after the spots scab over (whichever happens first) the child will no longer be contagious.

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nicewarmslippers · 10/02/2009 10:33

good old mumsnet! thanks for replies, yes exlusively bfing and i havr had it, all in all sound like it will be ok as the other kid will be less infectious anyway by then

thanks!