To quarantine or not?
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Topic: To quarantine or not?
Posted By: Bizzy
Subject: To quarantine or not?
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 11:41am
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Ok so Toby officially has the Chicken Pox... the spots started yesterday and i took him to the docs today.
My question though is how much do i quarantine him? and the rest of the family? The other two havent got it yet either and the doc said about a 95% chance they will. It seems silly in this day and age to keep him home on the off chance he will infect someone. I mean if people really dont want the pox they can be immunised now and he would have been contagious for a couple of weeks before he even got spotty so would have passed it on then anyway... So what are your thoughts on it? Do i keep him away from malls and supermarkets and beaches? ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: FreeSpirit
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 12:06pm
| I would carry on with life as normal, and only keep him home if he is unwell. |
Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 12:07pm
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To a certain degree if it was my child yes I would keep them at home. One reason for me is you can infect a pregnant mother and it can have some serious complications for that mother in the first trimester as well as in the last few weeks just before birth.
But from the rest of the family no. I will also not worry too much if you have to go out somewhere. Plus it is really just for a short few days. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 12:07pm
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To a certain degree if it was my child yes I would keep them at home. One reason for me is you can infect a pregnant mother and it can have some serious complications for that mother in the first trimester as well as in the last few weeks just before birth.
But from the rest of the family no. I will also not worry too much if you have to go out somewhere. Plus it is really just for a short few days. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: My3Sons
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 12:15pm
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I'd just let people know Bizzy if you are going to be around other kids, and carry on as normal as far as the supermarket etc. Then they can choose whether they want their kids to possibly be exposed. Tricky one huh! Hope the pox dont do too much damage and leave again soon ------------- Mum to Mr 10, Mr 6 and Mr 4 
 
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Posted By: Turtle
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 12:26pm
| I would carry on as usual. Places like supermarkets and beaches are always going to have someone else there sicker than him sharing their germs anyway. |
Posted By: ooEvaoo
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 12:30pm
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Yeah just carry on as usual, because once the spots have appeared the contagious phases is over. just let anyone who you may have been in contact with beforehand know. Kahtrell recently had them, and if was a few weeks before all the scabs came off so I don't think you'd really want to be quaranteed for that long lolz. ------------- 
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Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 12:43pm
I just found out today that I have shingles   So I will be keeping myself quarantined. However my 1 year old hasn't had chickenpox yet and I can't exactly stay away from him so I guess he will be getting CP soon :(------------- 
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Posted By: first
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 12:59pm
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I would be keeping the family at home or only hanging our with friends who I've explained the situation to. CP can be serious for some people and its so easily passed on.
------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/"> 
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 1:28pm
not necessarily tho kellie. I asked the doc about this as tobys grandpa has shingles too and we saw them the other day. Shingles, unlike CP, isnt a virus so not as easily contagious. Apparently the chance of catching CP frm Shingles is rare! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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kellie wrote:Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 1:49pm
Oh sweet  -------------
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Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 2:11pm
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I guess for me it would depend on how bad they look... last thing I would want is to be out somewhere and some random chastising me in public for bringing my spotty child out in public. JMO
Also I think I'd want to let people know who I'd been in contact with over the past couple of weeks so they can keep an eye on their kids. ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
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Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 3:37pm
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Chicken pox is dangerous for pregnant women. I would stay home until he is no longer contagious. If people want to visit you or invite you over as long as they know he has chicken pox I see no problem. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 4:11pm
but only if they havent had it... and how many pregnant women get exposed without even knowing it! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 4:24pm
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Personally, I'd be pretty unimpressed to see a kid with chicken pox in the supermarket/mall. I'd keep them at home or visiting people who know they have it and are happy to be around them anyway. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Henna79
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 4:57pm
| I think I would be staying at home. I wouldn't be to happy seeing someone out and about with them as others are right and it is pretty dangerous for some people. |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 5:54pm
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yeah i agree with PP... i would keep him home till he isnt contagious anymore..its pretty unfair to expose him to others unknowingly (on their behalf) i know it seems like forever but i think it's 5 days after spots..so not forever?
id be really mad if i found out someone had exposed me when they knew their child had chickenpox..not only for me but also my son who I really dont want to get chickenpox atm:) ! ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 6:09pm
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Poor Toby, hope he feels better soon.
They are contagious till the last scab heals over. My DS1 got them when he was 3, he got them really bad & had high temp & we had to go & sit in the waiting room at the dr for an afternoon so they could monitor his temp, (we lived in the country then). DS2 was 3weeks old & got 6 spots on his foot, the Dr was really surprised as he was fully BF & the youngest baby he had seen with them. I told people to stay away as he was unwell & so was the baby & I did not want to deal with anyone else. He would of picked it up from daycare as it is contagious for about 2 weeks before spots show. We did not go out cause he looked so bad & having a new born. Dr said he was not sure if DS2 would get them again as he had such a small dose of them. Kindy has had them going around & he never got it & DS3 has not had them yet. At least Toby should be fine by the time school goes back, hang in there, not fun at all 
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 9:02pm
No, they are contagious until the last one has scabbed over. This can be about 4-7 days after they first appear if not from when the first one scabbed over. I was quite surprised how long they took to completely scab. I found the torso appeared first & the spots appeared on the limbs last appear. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 9:06pm
| I wouldn't take him to indoor places like malls/supermarkets but would take him to places like the beach/park as long as it wasn't too busy (and he wasn't too sick obviously). |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 10:54pm
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I'd do the same as Rach, not to malls etc (mainly cos it looks bad).
Will clarify about shingles though - my Dad's just had a pretty bad case of them and the word from the docs at A&E was that if you have shingles, the CP virus can be as easily passed as if from a CP sufferer, but you can't pass shingles on IYKWIM. And yes you are most contagious (CP I'm talking about now, but I think shingles is the same) 2-5 days before spots appear up to the last one scabs over (up to 7 days usually). They appear in warmer areas first (torso, neck, groin, underarm, scalp) first then move to outer limbs. I would keep Toby away from people but not my other kids - you can't quarantine them on the off chance (even if it is a 95% chance) they MAY have the virus - life doesn't stop and CP is a fact of life IMO. |
Posted By: blondy
Date Posted: 13 January 2010 at 8:32am
To further clarify - both CP and shingles is caused by the exact same virus - varicella (CP) zoster (shingles) virus. The only way you can have shingles is by first having CP earlier in life. Shingles can still be passed on, but you would have to have direct contact with the lesions, as opposed to CP which is able to be transmitted by airbourne routes. (Virologist hat back off for the morning  )
I think I would make necessary trips out but probably tend to stay home when possible. Hope the whole thing isn't too dragged out! -------------  
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 13 January 2010 at 9:11am
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CP isn't as contagious as other illnesses like Measles. For example to be classed as 'exposed' to Measles you just have to be in the same room as someone. With CP they consider exposure having interacted with the person for a period of time.
So I would say going to the mall etc. would be fine in terms of risk. However you'll probably get some dirty looks. I would expect that pregnant women out in public would be low risk of catching it anyway. And most parents expect their child will get CP at some point. Like you say the ones that really don't want their kids to get CP get them immunised. -------------  
 
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Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 14 January 2010 at 8:38pm
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I just have to say please keep your child at home. I have a heart child and many of them have to go off there regular very important meds when they come into contact with a virus, such a chicken pox. Id be a little annoyed if your child came into contact with mine and we took her to the hospital around all the other sick kids because we didnt know she was contagious. I know all kids get them eventually but for some families its really important they know that there precious children are brewing or sharing something nasty ------------- http://lilypie.com] 
http://lilypie.com] 
http://lilypie.com] 
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Posted By: pikelets
Date Posted: 14 January 2010 at 9:02pm
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I personally wouldn't go out .
I had it as an adult and had to stay home for about a week. There are pregnant women, babies and sick people that shouldn't be exposed to it. Not going out for a few days means that they have an even lower risk of getting it. I'd be pretty annoyed if I was pregnant or had a newborn and someone was out with their contagious child. I'd run a mile lol ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
 3 Angels - Dec10 / Mar11 / Dec11
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Posted By: Booski
Date Posted: 14 January 2010 at 9:52pm
For me personally I wouldn't go out if I could avoid it. I always hated it when people with the flu came to work and passed it around 
I know there are heaps of people that wouldn't give it a second thought, and some that just don't have a choice. But if you or your child are sick and can, I do think its common courtesy to stay home. You just don't know who you may come into contact with. Not every child can be immunised and vaccinations certainly aren't 100% effective. Just my 2c worth. ------------- 
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 14 January 2010 at 10:09pm
Thanks guys, i really appreciate the honesty of your replies.  ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: X
Date Posted: 15 January 2010 at 8:23am
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DS had chicken pox late last year. I kept him home till he was no longer contagious & the dr gave us the all clear for him to go back into the rest of the world. It was a bit of a pain but I thought it was probably the most considerate thing to do. We invited everyone round for a CP party but NOBODY came. I was really surprised!
Anyway, hope your little one recovers quickly & hasn't had it too bad. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: DaisyAngel
Date Posted: 15 January 2010 at 12:26pm
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I'm the same as Raspberryjam - Roman is a heart child who had surgery in July 09 and is not allowed to have any immunisations for a while - so I would be rather annoyed if a child knowingly came into contact with him while contagious with the chicken pox. ------------- 
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Posted By: Booski
Date Posted: 15 January 2010 at 12:52pm
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Is Toby feeling better Bizzy?? -------------
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 15 January 2010 at 12:59pm
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Hmm thanks guys - I had never even thought about heart surgery kids etc. sorry.
I will definitely remember that in the future. Hope Toby is feeling a little better (and not giving you such a hard time). Angelina you need to pop a linebreak in your tickers or something because they're pushing out the whole page -------------
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 15 January 2010 at 3:41pm
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thanks yes he is better. still spotty but not so grumpy and we only had one really bad day and night with them... i brought some phenergan from the chemist to help with the itch overnight cause he advised against rubbing anything into his skin in case it damaged the blisters and caused scarring. the baking soda baths really seem to help too. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 15 January 2010 at 9:05pm
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Thanks for the info on shingles guys :)
Hope your little one is feeling better Deb. Sirius hasn't come out in spots yet, and I have had it for about 1 week now so hopefully in the clear. ' Although TBH I wouldn't mind him getting it now, better than when I am back at work etc. Chicken pox party at your house Debs?? lol -------------
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 15 January 2010 at 10:04pm
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lol kellie - i would love to help infect as many kids as i can! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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