Chicken pox - when is it safe to visit?

[Rockhopper]

Our 3 year old grandson has just come out in spots and their local pharmacist has said it’s probably chickenpox. I have SLE and APS and take immunosuppressants so understand I should stay away from him, but for how long? Does anyone know?

[PMRpro]

Once all the blisters have scabbed over he will no longer be infectious so you will be safe.

I assume you haven't seen him in the last week? The most infectious period is the 24-48 hours BEFORE the first blister appears when they are shedding the virus when they sneeze and cough, probably even when they breathe.

[Sara_A]

Yes as last post said once all blisters have dried up but most infectious prior to spots.

If u have had chicken pox or shingles u should be ok anyway.

I’m still waiting for my 2 little ones to get it so I’m gonna have to be exposed unless I can have a holiday for a week Dad???!! ha!! No chance.

I’m also on steroids and immunosuppressants and have sle and aps x

[Loriel in reply to Sara_A]

Hey Sara_A

Please don't wait for your children to come down with chickenpox, have them immunised against it.

Did you know that for boys, it can render them infertile?

That's just one of the possible outcomes. I don't care what anyone else says, 2 weeks before any sign of spots, your children would be contagious then.

Please in this day and age, there is a vaccine, whereas for my children there was none. You're lucky you can take affirmative action. Be pro-active and go have your children immunised.

P.S.

Some children really suffer. Most will have spots on their outer body, but others will have them on their body, in the throat and on their lungs. You can't imagine what it's like having it in their airways. That's when you both go to hospital cause your little one will need you there.

[Sara_A in reply to Loriel]

There is not a vaccine for chicken pox in the uk at the moment on the nhs schedule.

Where are u from? As other countries do vaccinate routinely just not us yet!

[Loriel in reply to Sara_A]

Hi Sara_A. Oh, what is holding the NHS up. I'm from Australia. I would have thought that it would be available worldwide by now.

I'm so sorry for making that assumption.

[Buffy14]

I am on immunosuppressants for lupus and been in contact with my grandchildren in the days before the spots appeared , I was on a caravan break with my grandson and he was sleeping in the same bed as me in the caravan he didn't want to go in the bunk bed , he had been a bit off colour and I was giving him Calpol for a temperature , 2 days after we got back he came out in the spots . I rang my GP and he said if you have had chicken pox as a child you should be fine and I was . I'm not going to avoid my grandchildren just in case they are carrying an infectious childhood illness , I have 4 grandchildren with 2 more on the way .

[Jacqui296 in reply to Buffy14]

I imagine you love love your grandchildren very much but, if you have not had chicken pox before, then please stay away from them for a few days. The reason I’m saying this is that I caught them from my daughter when I was in my mid 30’s. I didn’t know that they could get into so many places! I remember phoning my parents to tell them and that was the last I remembered for 2-3 weeks. The spots had gone into my lungs and given me pneumonia, my GP at the time said I was lucky as a few had died from it. I now have one lung that looks like a pepper pot, I suffered screaming headaches for a year after and it started the menopause for me......and this was all before I was diagnosed with Lupus! So please take care and don’t suffer like I did!

[Buffy14 in reply to Jacqui296]

That sounds terrible I didn't know either that chicken pox could get into internal organs . The incident with my grandson on the caravan holiday was a couple of years ago and my daughter insisted I stay away when his spots came out . I have had chicken pox as a child thankfully , I know chicken pox is meant to be far more serious when caught as an adult , it can be serious if it gets into the eyes aswell my neighbour has a young nephew in hospital at the moment with severe chicken pox which have got into his eyes he can't see properly at the moment . I do take care as I know only too well that being on immunosuppressant drugs can make you open to infections , I almost died from meningitis a few years ago but what I was saying is that you can't really stay away from children just incase they have an infection you don't know they have , things like chicken pox are infectious before the spots come out . My family do stay away if they are sick and would keep my grandchildren away if they knew they were sick . It must be a worry for people with lupus who are bringing up children . Do you think your nightmare with chicken pox may have triggered your lupus ? or maybe you had lupus then but didn't realize . I hope you are doing well at the moment .

[Jacqui296 in reply to Buffy14]

Hi Buffy14

My mother was diagnosed with Lupus so I guessed it was a matter of time before they found it in me. I did however get PMR and was told impossible (too young at the time) but the blood test confirmed it. It actually started off with blinding headaches and my vision going (GCA), I was put on steroids, I refused them but I was told them or loose my eyesight, so I got my eyesight back and a lot of weight went on. It’s been an uphill struggle since but I suppose I must be thankful I’m still here to tell the tale. My daughter has been showing symptoms of Lupus for a while but puts off going to the doctor. She won’t be having any children because of a health problem but also it will sever the Lupus link. Like you say we can’t avoid everyone especially our own but I find the worse place to pick up germs is from supermarket trolleys and public transport (I avoid the latter!) I’m pleased you recovered from the menengitis, that must have been a horrendous time for you and your family! I’m at the moment recovering from acute bronchitis which I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy! I’ve had it for 2 weeks, I feel as weak as a new born kitten my daughter has banned me from going out until further notice as I still haven’t got my voice but and still have a dreadful cough. We are going away next month and I need to be 100% better by then. Stay well and hopefully the better weather will stay with us x

[Buffy14 in reply to Jacqui296]

I hope you are well in time for your holiday . My daughter has been showing symptoms of lupus for 5 years now since the birth of her first child but no-one is taking her seriously and she hasn't had a diagnosis , they tell you it isn't hereditary but it is genetic , don't get the difference . My daughter is pregnant again now but has been fine apart from one flare at Christmas , baby is due in 6 weeks . Take care x

[Jacqui296 in reply to Buffy14]

I hope all goes well with the birth of your next grandchild. Keep pushing for a diagnose as I was palmed off for years before a different GP actually listened to what I had to say and did the correct tests on me. I’m not sure either re the difference between genetic and hereditary but at the end of the day they are linked. Take care xx

[Loriel]

Hi Rockhopper, You have already been exposed if you had contact with him before the spots came out.

Chickenpox are actually most contagious for two weeks before the spots come out. Too late to hide I'm afraid.

Wasn't he immunised with measles mumps chickenpox rubella inoculation?

They've included chickenpox for years now. Chickenpox is a dangerous thing to get. People don't realise that enough I'm afraid.

Hope you're lucky not to come down with it.

[Sara_A in reply to Loriel]

MMR vaccine only contains measles mumps and rubella in the uk.

In other countries it may contain varicellabut from what I’ve seen it’s a separate vaccine ??

If my children were to be immunised ( if they could be!?) I wouldn’t be allowed near them for 6 wks!!?

It is very rare that chicken pox causes such serious cases tho I have to say, yes it does and can happen but it’s in the minority.

[helixhelix in reply to Loriel]

There is a good reason why chicken pox is not routinely included, see link. But for those of us taking immune suppressants we can get it free on NHS if we want

nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinati...