Chickenpox on holidays

[lynbrown]

We are due to go to Eurodisney in 10 days time and my 5 year old has just come out in spots. Will they be faded by the time we fly - and could the airline refuse to take her? Everyone knows by the time the spots are out, the infectious stage is passed but i want to be prepared, just in case.

[flosi]

Lyn,providing spots have stopped coming out and they are starting to scab over your daughter should be ok,if thats the case in 10 days scabs should be disapearing,abd scars will be left,but the will fade,Best to check with your doctor/nurse,hope all will be ok.

[Drusilla1S]

I would hope you do not have any problems, but airlines are becoming increasingly concerned about sick people travelling, because the air is so confined in an aircraft. I have enclosed a sad story about a family travelling in the US, who were refused a place on an aircraft because one of their children had chicken pox.

http://www.elliott.org/archives/1998/05/a_pox_on_the_pa.php

[Bluemukka]

A friend of mine had a child who had chicken-pox and they were flying out on holiday, so she covered the spots up with concealer. They had dried up and faded but you would still know it was chickenpox, IYSWIM, and therefore the airline might get cold feet.

[scubadiver]

Lyn- the spots are still infectious until the last one has crusted over- the fluid in the spots contain the virus.

However, generally it takes around 10 days from the first spot coming out until this stage, so you may be ok, depending on the severity of the infection.

Chickenpox is also passed on by the respiratory route ( breathing/coughing etc) as well as by direct contact, so there is a theoretical risk that if the spots haven't crusted over by the time you are due to fly, then your daughter could be refused by the airline.

[gessoo]

If you have taken out some holiday insurance, I would be inclined to phone up the insurers and ask them whether 'chickenpox' is considered a good reason to cancel a holiday and whether you are able to claim on insurance.

This would give you an idea of whether you might get turned down by the airline.

Personally, if they will allow a claim, I would postpone my holiday if at all possible. If your little one is still feeling a bit off-colour it might spoil your holiday. Chickenpox often leads to throat infections or nasty colds.

I hope all goes well for you, whatever you decide.

[Gef]

I would just make sure that no one gets a good look at your child - cover spots with make up etc. Chickenpox is nothing to worry about so hope you are OK and have a great holiday.

[scubadiver]

Gef- chickenpox actually has the highest death rate of all vaccine preventable diseases in the uk per annum. While in children, the effects of the virus is generally mild, in adults it is a whole different ball game. In the confines of a plane, with recirculated air, anyone who has not already had the disease is at risk- especially if they have other health problems at the same time.

[gessoo]

Too true Scubadriver. I have also known children to remain under the weather for quite a while after chickenpox - hence my suggestion.