Chicken Pox

[rowena]

DD1 is diagnosed with chicken pox. The first time I saw the spots was Wednesday, and I only got the test result today. It's not very serious for her (she's fully immunised). She only complained about 'mozzy bite'. And now it seems that everything is healing. But now I'm worried about the rest of the family. DH has never had chicken pox before. And my mom can't remember whether I had it or not. And DD2 is only 16 month old. Anyone of us can come down with Chicken Pox! What shall I do??

Rowena

[Kahlia]

i dont think you can do anything to prevent getting them, especially as the most contagious time is a couple of days before the spots actually show. so you would have been exposed from around monday without knowing it. i would suggest you dont go out if possible for another couple of days and especially dont go see anyone vulnerable like PG women, newborns, elderly people etc. i have no idea how long it should take for it to come up if you are going to get it though..

[bumble bees mum]

I have never had it but have a natural immunity to it or so my doctor tells me. I have been exposed many many times and have not got it ( 2 siblings got it 2 didn't and we mixed very closely as kids) Plus I am a teacher and have had many kids get it and still nothing. I did talk to my dr when looking at getting pregnant with DD1 and I am pretty sure he did a test and said I was immune.
Hopefully it is the same for you and your DH. Your DD will be pretty vulnerable though so just keep an eye out. Good luck, hope you all stay chicken pox free, like my experience not everyone exposed will get it even when in the same family.

[Histoire]

I have been exposed many many times and have not got it ( 2 siblings got it 2 didn't and we mixed very closely as kids)

You never know. I had a HORRID dose of CP as a child, my sister had CP AND Shingles, I had another case of CP in my early teens. My brother NEVER got CP....... until he was in his mid 30's and it was a HORRID case of CP. He had flown to NY for work and developed CP on arrival and had to spend the next 3wks in a hotel room.

The incubation period is 10-21 days for CP.

I spent the day with a GF who came out with CP the next day. Neither me nor DS1 (who was 16m at the time) got CP.

[rowena]

Thanks everyone! It's weird that you never know when you get it! DD2's 18-month immunisation is due in 1.5 months and I hope she waits until after that to get CP. Our Dr said that CP is not as bad if you get it after you're immunised. Fingers crossed....DD2 has sufferred from too much illness in the last 8 months and I don't want a HORRID CP to add to it...