What You Need To Know About Chicken Pox

Last night LP went to bed early, he'd been coughing and sneezing most of the day and he was complaining about having a headache. At 7:20pm he chose to go to bed (his bedtime is 8pm) and he was asleep within minutes. 

He didn't want to get up this morning and was still coughing. When he got out of bed he said he wanted to show me some spots he'd got because they were "annoying" him. At first it didn't dawn on me but as I examined his body and spotted more spots on his back I realised he had Chicken Pox.

LP is almost 7 (his birthday is in two weeks!) and I'd been hoping he would get chicken pox before he got any older. BP had it when he was 2 and he slept through the worst part of it, I'm not sure how LP will cope, only time will tell.


About Chicken Pox


Chicken Pox is a common childhood illness and is most common in children under 10. The rash presents as small fluid-filled blisters that can be itchy.

chicken pox blister


It is usually contracted during Winter and Spring, particularly between March and May.

A child who has chicken pox is infectious from 1-2 days before the rash appears until all the blisters have crusted over, usually 5-6 days after the start of the rash. 

You should keep children off school/nursery until all the blisters have crusted over.


When to see a GP


GP/Doctor





You shouldn't need to see a GP about chicken pox as it usually clears up by itself but you should seek the advice of a GP if:

-  The blisters become infected
-  Your child complains of chest pains or has difficulty breathing





Who is at special risk?


-  Pregnant women
-  Newborn babies
-  People with a weakened immune system

Chicken Pox is a mild illness but anyone with it should avoid places where they could come into contact with people with a weakened immune system (pregnant women, people having cancer treatments, taking steroid tablets).


So over the next week or so I'll be dealing with chicken pox, luckily everyone else has had it so we all have immunity. Poor LP however is going to be feeling rough for a few days.

I have a stash of paracetamol and am going to buy some calamine lotion if we need it. Supermum mode has been activated and I'm currently writing a blog post while monitoring/entertaining LP and cooking lunch!!

Isn't it amazing what we manage to cram in when we have to?