NNNNOOOOOOOOO!

My mum has come out in a shingles rash. she's going to get it confirmed tomorrow and get treatment. This means ds is going to have to stay at home for at least 2 weeks (I think) and if he doesn't come out in chicken pox in the next 10 days we may have to cancel our trip to Boston. I've always said I'd like to get chicken pox out of the way during toddler hood!

He'll be so disappointed, he's been looking forward to it so much, Myself and SO will be devastated but ds is our priority just hope if he does get it that there is minimal spots and itch and that they crust over before we have to go.

[rainbabies]

oh no! i hope you and your ds can still visit! im so sorry....hoping for a mild reaction!

[migirl]

I'm sorry to hear about this, and maybe I'm not fully understanding the extent of the situation but I had shingles a few months ago when DS was about 2 months old and the only precaution I had to take with him was to make sure that he wasn't exposed to any of the open sores. Otherwise, there was no problem and he didn't get the chicken pox.

Anyway, I hope things turn out ok and that you get to make your trip to Boston!

[Meenah]

This is going to sound terrible BUT leave him with your mom and go on your trip!!!!!

Luanne, my mum said the same thing!

We've had conflicting info and one doctor said only if he's been exposed to the sores and another said if he doesn't get it he has the immune system of a bionic man. well every morning he gets out of my bed and goes in for a cuddle with granny, the rash is on her back, Its quite possible he's been exposed as he likes to swing his arm around her, and his immune system is crap as he's on high dose steroids and antibiotics this week for his asthma.

either way that calamine lotion and anti histamine meds are on standby, hoping to get chicken pox out of the way so he won't remember it, with the smallest reaction, 2 or 3 spots so i can diagnose and preferrably somewhere he can't reach!

My mum didn't realise she had it until she saw it in the mirror getting out of the shower as its in an awkward place, on the line of her bra strap, and she had back surgery 2 years ago but her nerves had been too badky damaged by the time she had her surgery so she takes a NSAID and nuerotin for pain which is the same stuff they prescribe for pain and itch of shingles. So shes grand, not clinically sick or in pain which is great.

Varicelle vaccine is not available in UK or Ireland except on patient named basis only for extremly immuno-compromised kids, sch as kids with cancer and on chemo or HIV.

in child hood we only vaccinate for meningitis c, polio, tetanu, hib, dipteria and whooping cough, then at 18 months measles mumps and rubella. no other vaccines are given unless for travel reasons.

[Stella]

I've had whooping cough. It was AWFUL.