Chicken Pox!

[lil monkey]

hi all,

My DP has been kind enough to bring home chicken pox - being a pharmacist, he has had lots of kiddies in lately with it and just started getting the spots last night.

I had it when I was 2 but I am worried about Tayla getting it at 10 months - has anyone elses bub had chicken pox at a young age? How did you deal with it?

[Shazbutt]

When DD1 was a bub, i was told i could get her vaccinated against it at 10 months (and put it off, now i have to wait til DD2 is old enough to get them done together...), but now they're putting them in the 18 mth needles i think. I don't know whether you could possibly get her done now and pay for it? You'd have to ask your paed. I get paranoid about the girls getting them, as it seems to get so bad nowadays...i had them when i was a bub and it never seemed like a big deal then, just something kids got and that was it. If you're really worried, maybe ring and ask or go in to see you doc, and se if you can get her vaccinated now?

[mumof2girls]

My daughter went into hospital with gastro when she was about 2 and come out with chickenpox right before x-mas my youngest daughter then aged 5 months got it the day after x-mas so made for a miserable x-mas but we use to bath her in this yellow lotion (forgot the name just ask at the chemist) and plenty of calamine lotion and she was fine after about 10 days. She did however end up with shingles when she was 4 years old and they said it was because she had chickenpox at such a young age, so if we know anyone who has them we keep them away from her as shingles is a very painful and she had the symptons for 7 months afterwards (aching body etc). Even though you can get them vacinated they can still get chicken pox they just get a lighter dose of them :)

[Baby Girl]

Your bub should have your immunities against it but can still get it. My DD1 got chicken pox a few months ago and soon after myself and DD2 got it, DD2 was 3 months old. We all used Pintarsol solution or gel in the bath or shower and used a cream like calamine lotion but it is thicker, I can't remember the name but it is in a white bottle with a pink label. DD1 had hardly any spots and didn't seem to scratch too much and DD2 and I were covered completely. DD2 didn't have a temperature or anything and we only had one night that we were both restless, I was really itchy that day so I can only assume she was too. She slept alot and was a bit grumpy but we both survived and only have a few faint marks from the spots.

[Crazy Monkey]

My neice has just found out she has chicken pox.. the day before she found out she was with my DS, giving him kisses and cuddles..
What are the chance he will get it?? What should I be looking for, besides spots??

Thanks in advance

[Baby Girl]

People are contagious for the 14 days before the spots come out and also the puss in the spots is contagious. The contagious period is completely over once ALL the spots have burst.

He may get it depending on his age and the strength of any immunities he may have from you if you had chicken pox as a kid.

You can also get chicken pox twice, usually if you don't get it very bad the first time you can be more likely to get it again.

[bubbles28]

Hi jacks mum. Are you BF? The doc told me if you are BF your bub is a lot less likely to catch it. Somthing to do with your antibodies?
I am also very worried about my DS catching it as I had it bad and developed some scarring on my face from it.
I asked the doc about the vaccination and he said you can get it done from 12mths but you have to pay for it and they need two injections at a month apart.
I will definately be getting my DS done earlier.

[Baby Girl]

I also meant to say yesterday that the first symptoms of chicken pox are flu-like. I had a sore throat and was very congested about 2 days before the spots came. My 'flu' also got worse while I had the spots and it took me about a week and a bit to get over it. DD1 had no flu-like symptoms but DD2 was congested and had a very runny nose.

[lil monkey]

I have had flu like sypmptoms for 5 days, been extremely congested, dizzy, nauseous......

But no spots - think this is because I have had it before!

[mim]

My DS was exposed to chicken pox 10 days ago, so we should know soon whether he will get it or not. Fingers crossed he doesn't.
My question is, I had chicken pox as a kid, I'm 18 weeks pregnant now, what happens if I get it again? I read somewhere it's only a problem in the first trimester and right before birth, anybody know if this is true?

[Baby Girl]

Taylasmum, You could just have a cold - what with the crazy weather we have been having. Even though you have already had the pox, you can get it again. It is unlikely but possible. You can also have it and only get one or two spots, so I guess you can have it and have no spots too. I cross my fingers that you don't get it, as an adult it is awful!! It affects your muscles, joints and everything else!!

Mim, if you get it while you are pregnant there is no immediate danger unless you are in the first trimester like you said. It is very unlikely that you will get it again but you can go to the doctor's and have a blood test (and so can your DS) to find out if you have it. I think they test for antibodies and then determine how long ago they were created by your body.

Fingers crossed no-one gets it - I would not wish it upon my worst enemy, I felt awful when I had it!!

[lil monkey]

Well today we have spots 2 weeks to the day DP got it!

Tayla isn't bothered by it at all so far - fingers crossed she only gets a mild dose!

[Baby Girl]

Taylasmum, Get pinetarsol and calamine lotion and bath her in the pinetarsol everyday ( I did it at night so I could get a good sleep) and then dab calamine on each spot let it dry and don't overdress her as the heat irritates the spots. I did all this with my DD2 (and myself) when she had it at 3 months (she got it real bad) and she was fairly good, we only had one bad day and night the rest of the time she slept and didn't seem to drink very much milk so I was giving her water aswell to keep her hydrated but she just really wanted to sleep!!

Whatever you do, don't let anyone pick the scabs once the blisters burst as that makes them scar worse than if you leave them to heal on their own. It took DD2 and I about 2-3 weeks for all the scabs to heal completely but neither of us have any bad marks.

Good Luck, I hope Tayla feels better soon!

[whatwasithinking]

I hope she doesn't get it for your sake however take care and watch DP - isn't supposed to be not real good for adults to get Chicken Pox?
Stock up on Calamine Lotion!!

[lil monkey]

well it's funny as she doesn't seem bothered by it at all yet - she is covered on her belly, back and bum so far! I only had a mild case when I was two apparently so I am keeping my eyes out on myself.

We gave her a pinetarsal bath and nurofen too. Only problem is the past few nights, she has not wanted to sleep and is up until 11pm tossing and turning!! And she has been drinking more too - total opposite to another post above.

Wish she would just sleep! : )

[bubbles28]

Poor buba, kiss to her. I hope it continues not to bother her.

[Baby Girl]

Taylasmum, your poor bubba, she looks covered!! Isn't it funny from one bub to another how things affect them. I hope she gets through it without too much heartache for you. I think we feel worse than they do. When she does finally go to sleep is she sleeping well or is she restless? I am glad for you she is drinking heaps, I was so worried that when Sienna had the pox the she would dehyrate and get sick from that too. Good Luck!

[lil monkey]

Gosh no schmell - so restless and rolling around as it's painfull for her!

Not drinking or eating too much now either but the worst is over!

For the full long story, read my post So exhausted and Run down..........!! ;)

[Baby Girl]

Yeah I read that post - I feel for you!! Chin up, the pox will go soon enough!! As for the christmas parties I would send DP, put Tayla to bed (as early as you can or she will let you) and have a lovely night for yourself - have a bubble bath, sip a nice glass of wine and relax.