Chicken- pox.... how to handle it?

Dear Friends,

Today, I am bit perplexed about this issue. My neighbour’s son (who is also a good friend of mine) had chicken pox. She being a working person was unable to take leave for long period, so, she started sending her son to the school after 4 days. The boy too began to move round cheerfully with his friends in the school & also in the neighbourhood. It has been two weeks, but none of us enquired or talked about it to her since she has not discussed about this to anyone.

Today morning she (the mom) called up said, she wanted to send her son to my home to play with my kids. I was really in a dilemma to ‘yes’ or ‘no’ & later hesitantly, I said ‘No’, to her. I really feel bad & guilty about it….She is a good & helpful person… her sons (s) are close to my children. We had been good friends for more than 5 years. I am sure; the reply of mine would have disappointed her. I really feel sorry for her…but as a parent I am worried about my children as it is contagious one!

Pls. share your opinion about this. As a parent, what will you do? & how will, you handle this Chicken pox issue? And do tell me can an affected person lead a normal life?

Thanks in advance.

Anushiv,

To answer your last question first. A person who has been down with chicken pox, even severe cases will recover by the Grace of Devi and lead perfectly normal lives. I had a bad bout once and never thought about it since then. In some cases, getting it can improve immunity.

But I think it was okay that you did not allow your son to play with the sick child. Chicken pox is contagious especially in the end when the scabs are following. And why invite infection for no reason?

In the past, when a person had pox, many religious rules were observed in the house. No tempering of dishes, no fragrances, no exchange of communication. A sprig of neem leaves would be stuck on the door to indicate the chicken pox. All this was just to curb the spread of infection in the olden days. These days, moms cannot take much leave from work, so they leave the child at home alone. Or send them off to school. As long as it is not contagious for other students and as long as the sick child is not tired out by school, it is acceptable.

Modern day living is for convenience. Just that it should be ours and others.

regards
Vidya

Hi Anu,
Chicken pox is only contagious until the scabs have dried and fallen off - usually that takes about 7 - 10 days. Also the maximum infective period is in the first days of fever/cold before the rash ie. when nobody knows it is chicken pox. So if your neighbours son has no active skin lesions then it is perfectly safe to let him play with your kids. Also have your kids been vaccinated against chicken pox? If not maybe you should consider it so you dont have to go through this kind of situation in the future.

Vanathi.

Hi,
I have one question about chickenpox today.
Is it good or bad to go and see a dead person who is close relative when someone at home has chicken pox.
Regards.

Dear Anu,
Don't feel guilty that you said No. I guess I would have done the same. I am sure your friend will put herself in your shoes and think about the issue. Take it easy!

Sorry Puni I didnt understand the question - you mean like going to a funeral? Whose house has the chicken pox - yours or theirs?

Vanathi.

My younger daughter’s examination was suppose to start from 12^th Feb’08 and on 8^th Feb she has chicken pox, went to the school , met the principal/class teacher they said please do not send her school because other children will get infected even the doctor also gave her a leave certificate for 2 weeks, school principal said 21 days they will not allow her. She could answer her final exams but according her 1^st term & 2^nd terms they gave her average marking and she was promoted to std. IV. Same days I took my elder daughter for her chicken pox vaccination cause her exams were also from 12 Feb’08.

I did not allow my sick daughter to play outside with other children as well as my elder daughter because everybody was having their final examination. Now she is perfectly alright and took her chickenpox vaccination on 9^th March

Yup, going to funeral. In case if somebody has died in other's house and in my house I have somebody with chickenpox, can we visit the dead person's house or funeral?

Originally Posted by Aadhusmom

Sorry Puni I didnt understand the question - you mean like going to a funeral? Whose house has the chicken pox - yours or theirs?

Vanathi.

I remember that my kids were given vaccination against chickenpox over here in US.
How about in India????? Is chickenpox vaccination is mandatory????

Chicken pox vaccination in India is not mandatory but recommended (very few vaccines are actually mandatory). And i think yes you can go. Chicken pox is spread by inhaling the air which conatins infectious particles (from the sick persons breath and skin lesions), so as long as you go after washing your hands (and maybe changing your clothes if you've been handling the child) it shouldnt be a problem. The only caution I would add is if the house you are going to has a baby less than 1 yr old or a child or adult on cancer treatment/steroids then dont go - these 2 groups will develop severe problems if they get chicken pox and you dont want to take any chances.

Vanathi.