Chicken Pox - Contagious?

[stressed out]

My niece has had Chicken Pox for just over one week and she is coming over to visit on Saturday. I am worried, however, as i don't know how contagious this is and i don't want my 16 month old to catch it nor me or the rest of the family, as we have never had this or Shingles. Should we be concerned and stay away from her? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx

[spudqueen]

Even if your niece doesn't come over and you don't catch it this time, with a 16 month old I don't think you'll be able to avoid it for ever, think of all those children at toddlers/nursery/pre-school/play-school/school................... some people actually think it's better to get it over and done with early on!

[Sammy Snake]

 As far as I can remember, you are most contagious just as the rash breaks out and once all the spots have scabbed over, no longer contagious and ok to be in contact with other people.

[Chillum]

16 months is a good age to get it. It's over and done with, and they hardly even notice. As for the rest of you, adulthood is not a good time to get it..I got it at 36 and was in hospital for a week.

[smudge]

stressed out - if you take a look on P&P you will see my thread 'Chicken Pox - Twice?'.

Our 4 year old grandaughter got it 2 wks ago, now her Mum & little sister have it. Apparently, lots of children at the school have had/got it too.

[smudge]

P.S. Our granddaughter went back to school on Monday as she is no longer contagious. BTW, she's 5 years old not 4!! 

[OBonio]

We used to have chicken pox parties round our way. If a kid at school caught it, we'd hold a party and invite all the other kids round so, fingers crossed, they'd catch it too. It's best to get it young, like mumps.

[kags]

Just for info - you can't catch Shingles, this is just the reactivation of the virus in someone who has already had chicken pox. It is caused by stress or other illness. And I agree with what has been said above, the younger the child, the milder the illness. If your niece's spots have all dried out then she is probably no longer infectious.

[hipchickmck]

16 months is a perfect age to have chicken pox. And will boost her immune system toward other things too - much less likely to develop odd allergies if she has some decent exposure to common childhood illnesses. 

[kick3m0n]

can only agree with many of the above, 16months is a great age to get chicken pox.  There's lots of it going around our village just now and the mums at Mothers and Toddlers are all delighted that their little ones will probably get it now, rather than later.  I'm off to check my 18mnth old for spots...............

[Otrere]

I know that Shingles is a reactivation of the Chicken Pox virus (assuming you had CP at some time in your life) but I thought it could also develop if you came into contact with someone who has CP.

I have also heard its best to get CP out of the way. Its not a nice thing to have and at 16 months your little one is not likely to remember anything about it (which is not such a bad thing really).

[FP]

You can't catch shingles from chicken pox, but you can catch chicken pox from shingles:

'Because the shingles rash contains active virus particles, a person who has never had chickenpox can contract chickenpox by exposure to the shingles rash.'

[boodle]

yes im am not perfectly sure but i think they are contayjus(soz realy bad speller)

[bahati]

Hello,

My 13 month  old daughter got chicken pox from her 4 year old sister, who got it from her school. It was not that bad, only the scratching was, and I could not tell her not to do it. First of all I do not think that your niece is contagious any more. I also think that it is better to have chicken pox as a child than an adult. It is uncomfortable and imagine those spots that would take time to dissapear. Also if you have a girl, then it is not good for them to get chicken pox during the first half of the pregnancy, as the baby will be at a slight risk (1 to 2 percent) for getting something called congenital varicella syndrome, which can cause birth defects, including scarring of the skin, limb defects, eye problems, and other serious abnormalities. (In a very small number of cases, it can cause a miscarriage.) she gets it now, it would be easier on her and there would be no chance of the child falling under the 2 percent. You never know. She may cry a bit but in a week be okay. She is a kid, and kids have the megic of healing quite fast.. Do not be scared, it is not as bad as you may think. It is not as bad as it looks either.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[bahati]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is chicken pox?

Chicken pox is a common disease caused by the varicella zoster virus which is a member of the herpes virus family. It is very contagious and usually occurs during childhood. Adults can get the disease if they did not have it in childhood.

 
What are the symptoms?

Chicken pox most often begins with a slight fever, body aches and loss of appetite. Within 1-2 days, the rash appears usually starting on the chest or back. Initially the rash begins as red spots which then rapidly form blisters and spreads to the rest of the body. The blisters open and form a crust or scab within a few days. The rash can continue to break out for 4-5 days as older lesions crust and heal. Itching can accompany the rash along with fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat and general body aches. It is unusual to have chicken pox more than once.

Is chicken pox contagious?

Chicken pox is contagious through direct contact with the fluid in the blisters and by airborne droplets that are inhaled. Incubation period is 7-21 days. A person is contagious from 1-2 days before the rash appears and until all the lesions form crusts.

What is the treatment?

Treatment is focused on relief of symptoms. Antihistamines or baths with colloidal oatmeal may help relieve itching. Tylenol or ibuprofen is used for fever or pain relief. Aspirin should be avoided. Antiviral drugs such as acyclovir may be prescribed. (A vaccine may be released in the near future.)


Treatment
Antiviral medications such as acyclovir can be used to reduce the pain and promote healing if started early in the course of illness. Pain relief medicine and soothing soaks or lotions may also be used.

Also in case your child catches chicken pox do not give them asprin for it can cause them a brain damage.

[Dogsbody1]

For those who are interested according to medical dictionary Chicken Pox is infectious not contagious - i.e. airborn rather than by contact.