Travelling with child chicken pox

Baby01032012

My 4 year old is recovering from chicken pox but still has spots visable on his space. We believe he is no longer contagious.

We’re flying tomorrow with flybe to London and then going to LEGO land.

We’re bringing him to GP to get letter confirming he is no longer contagious. We’ve printed a medical info sheet for travel from airline website, however looking at it this needs to be submitted before travel.

Has anyone any experience of flying with child with chicken pox? I’m going to try ring airline this morning.

_Brian

Letter from GP should be ok. But it won’t stop other travellers with kids being nervous.

Glass fused light

_Brian wrote: »

Letter from GP should be ok. But it won’t stop other travellers with kids being nervous.

How long has the child had the spots and what condition are they in?

Also as it is so contagious have you informed the doctors office why you are bringing your child in?

the_syco

Baby01032012 wrote: »

We’re flying tomorrow with flybe to London and then going to LEGO land.

Ensure the doctors letter is on headed paper, tbh. Ring LEGO Land, and ask will you get in with a doctors letter, if sores are visible.

Baby01032012

Glass fused light wrote: »

How long has the child had the spots and what condition are they in?

Also as it is so contagious have you informed the doctors office why you are bringing your child in?

First spots visable last Thursday so 8 days now I think. Thanks for the advice everyone.

Glass fused light

Baby01032012 wrote: »

First spots visable last Thursday so 8 days now I think. Thanks for the advice everyone.

What's the condition of the last spots that appeared?

Balmed Out

If all the spouts have scabbed over their no longer contagious and you can do what you like, swimming etc. That said I kept myself near in as much as possible so not to worry others.

Baby01032012

All spots I think have scabbed over. Doctor gave letter which airline and LEGO land said they will accept.

ted1

Honestly I have never seen or heard of an airline or venue denying access for anything remotely like this.

We did postpone One holiday but only because we really didn’t want to be dealing with a Dick child in holidays. We flew withhere scabbed over and no comments were ever made.

Glass fused light

ted1 wrote: »

Honestly I have never seen or heard of an airline or venue denying access for anything remotely like this.

If the staff are aware of how contagious the disease is, 90% infection rate and infects like a cold (by breathing in and touching surfaces) don't be suprised to get an escort off the premise.

http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vaccinepreventable/varicellachickenpox/

Chickenpox hospitalised in Ireland, 2017

105 The number of chickenpox hospitalised notifications in 2017
2.2 The national notification rate per 100,000 population in 2017

https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/c/chickenpox/

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. You catch it by coming into contact with someone who is infected with the virus.

It's a very contagious infection. About 90% of people who have not previously had chickenpox will become infected when they come into contact with the virus.

Can I get chickenpox more than once?
Yes, you can! And you can get shingles from it too

In a study, up to 13% (around one in eight) of people diagnosed with chickenpox reported that they had had the condition before.

Usually, you develop antibodies to the infection first-time round, and become immune to catching it again.

It seems that some people simply don't develop the antibodies needed to protect them against re-infection.

But experts generally agree that if you've had chickenpox once before, you're unlikely to have it again. 

Aspirin alert
Never give your child aspirin if you suspect or know that they have chickenpox.

Children with chickenpox who take aspirin can develop a potentially fatal condition called Reye's syndrome, which causes severe brain and liver damage.

Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you are not sure which medicines to give your child. 

Preventing the spread of chickenpox
If your child has chickenpox, inform their school or nursery and keep them at home while they are infectious, which is until the last blister has burst and crusted over. This usually takes five or six days after the rash begins.

If you have chickenpox, stay off work and at home until you're no longer infectious.

If either you or your child has chickenpox, it is also a good idea for you, or them, to avoid contact with:

pregnant women
newborn babies
anyone who has a weak immune system, such as people who are having chemotherapy (a treatment for cancer) or taking steroid tablets

If you or your child have recently been exposed to the chickenpox virus, you may not be able to visit friends or relatives in hospital. Telephone the ward to check first.

Travelling on a plane 
If you or your child have chickenpox, you may not be allowed to fly until six days after the last spot has appeared.

You and your child should be safe to fly once you're past the infectious stage and all of the blisters have crusted over. But it's best to check the policy of your airline first. Inform the airline as soon as chickenpox is diagnosed.

It is also important to let your travel insurer know if you or your child have chickenpox. You need to make sure that you'll be covered if you have to delay or cancel your holiday, or if you need to extend your stay until your child is well enough to fly home.

Stop the virus spreading
Chickenpox can sometimes be spread through contact with objects that have been infected with the virus, such as children's toys, bedding or clothing.

If someone in your household has chickenpox, you can help stop the virus spreading by wiping any objects or surfaces with a sterilising solution and making sure that any infected clothing or bedding is washed regularly.

Vaccination
There is a chickenpox vaccine that is used to protect people who are most at risk of a serious chickenpox infection or of passing the infection on to someone who is at risk.

People who may be considered for chickenpox vaccination include:

healthcare workers who are not already immune - for example, a nurse who has never had chickenpox and who may pass it to someone they are treating if they become infected
people living with someone who has a weakened immune system - for example, the child of a parent receiving chemotherapy
The vaccine is not suitable for pregnant women. Avoid getting pregnant for three months after having the vaccine. The vaccine is also not suitable for people with weakened immune systems.

Complications of chickenpox
Complications of chickenpox are rare in healthy children. The most common one is when the rash of blisters becomes infected with bacteria.

A sign that the blisters have become infected is when the surrounding skin becomes red and sore.

If you think that your child's blisters have become infected, contact your GP as the child may need a course of antibiotics.

The people who are most at risk of developing chickenpox complications are:

adults
pregnant women
babies under four weeks old
people with a weakened immune system 
Adults
Chickenpox can be more serious in adults than in children. Adults with the virus are more likely to be admitted into hospital. Approximately 5-14% of adults with chickenpox develop lung problems, such as pneumonia. If you smoke, your risk of developing lung problems is much greater.

Although it is more serious in adults, most people will still make a full recovery from the chickenpox virus.

Pregnant women
If you're pregnant, chickenpox can occasionally cause complications.

For example, your risk of developing pneumonia is slightly higher if you're pregnant, especially if you smoke. The further you are into your pregnancy, the more serious the risk of pneumonia tends to be.

If you get chickenpox while you're pregnant, there is also a small but significant risk to your unborn baby.  

If you are infected with chickenpox during the first 20 weeks of your pregnancy, there is a risk that your unborn baby could develop a condition known as foetal varicella syndrome.

This syndrome is rare. The risk of it occurring in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is less than 1%. Between 13 and 20 weeks, the risk is 2%.

Foetal varicella syndrome can cause serious complications, including:

scarring 
eye defects, such as cataracts
shortened limbs
brain damage
There have been reports of damage to the unborn baby from foetal varicella syndrome when a pregnant woman catches chickenpox after week 20. But the risk at this late stage in pregnancy is thought to be much less than 1%. 

However, there are other risks from catching chickenpox after week 20 of pregnancy.

It is possible that your baby may be born prematurely (before week 37 of the pregnancy).

And if you are infected with chickenpox seven days before or seven days after giving birth, your newborn baby may develop a more serious type of chickenpox. In a few severe cases, this type of chickenpox can be fatal.

See your GP urgently if you're pregnant or have given birth in the last seven days and you think you may have chickenpox, or if you've been exposed to someone who has chickenpox.

 
People with a weakened immune system
Your immune system is your body's way of defending itself against disease, bacteria and viruses.

If your immune system is weak or does not work properly, you are more susceptible to developing infections such as chickenpox. This is because your body produces fewer antibodies to fight off the infection.

You may have a weakened immune system if you take immunosuppressive medication. This is medicine that works by damping down your immune system.

Immunosuppressive medication such as steroid tablets may be used if, for example, you have an inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or certain blood conditions.

If you have a weakened immune system, you're also more at risk of developing complications from chickenpox. These complications include:

pneumonia
septicaemia (blood poisoning)
meningitis
See your GP urgently if you have a weakened immune system and you've been exposed to the chickenpox virus.

https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/s/shingles/

Causes of shingles
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the virus that causes chickenpox (a highly infectious condition that most people have during childhood).

Chickenpox causes an itchy rash that blisters and then crusts over.

After you have had chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus lies dormant (inactive) inside your body. It can later be reactivated and cause shingles.

Reactivation
It is not known exactly how the varicella-zoster virus is reactivated, but it may be linked to having lowered immunity (protection).

Your immunity to illness and infection can become lowered if there is a problem with your immune system (the body's natural defence system). This can happen as a result of:

Being older. As you age, your immunity may also decrease. Shingles most commonly occurs in people who are over 80 years old.
Physical and emotional stress. The chemicals that are released by your body when you are stressed can prevent your immune system from working properly
Having HIV and AIDS. People with HIV may be up to 25 times more likely to get shingles than the rest of the population.
Recently having a bone marrow transplant (bone marrow is the spongy material in the centre of some bones). The conditioning that you receive before the transplant will weaken your immune system.
Recently having an organ transplant. You may need to take medication to suppress your immune system so that your body accepts the donated organ. After a transplant, 25-45% of people may develop shingles.  

Complications of shingles
A number of possible complications can occur as a result of shingles. They are more likely to occur if you have a weakened immune system (the body's natural defence system) or if you are elderly.

Possible complications include:

an infected rash that becomes red and tender, which may need to be treated with a course of antibiotics (medicine to treat infections that are caused by bacteria)
white patches (a loss of pigment) in the area of the rash
scarring, although this is unusual
encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), which only occurs in rare cases and causes a high temperature (fever) and confusion
transverse myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord), which is also rare and may cause pain in your neck and back
Ophthalmic shingles complications
Ophthalmic shingles is where shingles affects part of the trigeminal nerve (the nerve that controls sensation and movement in your face). This can cause complications that affect your eye, including:

ulceration (sores) and permanent scarring of the surface of your eye (cornea)
uveitis, which is inflammation (redness and swelling) of some parts of the inner eye, such as the iris (the coloured part) and ciliary body (the ring of muscle behind the iris)
Ophthalmic shingles may cause vision loss if it is not treated.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a complication that can occur if shingles affects certain nerves in your head. In America, Ramsay Hunt syndrome is estimated to affect 5 people in every 100,000 every year and it may affect a similar number of people in Ireland.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome can cause:

earache
hearing loss
dizziness
vertigo (the sensation that you or the environment around you is moving or spinning)
tinnitus (the perception of noise in one ear, both ears or inside your head, where the noise comes from inside your body rather than from an outside source) 
a rash around the ear
loss of taste
paralysis (weakness) of your face, known as Bell's palsy
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is usually treated with following medications:

antiviral medication (medication to treat viruses)
corticosteroids (medication that contains steroids)
The earlier treatment is started, the better the outcome. Around three-quarters of people who are given antiviral medication within 72 hours (three days) of the start of their symptoms usually make a complete recovery. If treatment is delayed, half of those treated will recover completely. 

You may be more likely to have some permanent facial palsy (paralysis) if:

your face was completely paralysed before you started treatment
you are over 50 years of age
Around 1 in 20 people with Ramsay Hunt syndrome may experience some degree of permanent hearing loss.

Postherpetic neuralgia
Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of shingles. Estimates vary, but postherpetic neuralgia is thought to affect one or two people in every 10 who have shingles. The condition becomes more common with age, and affects one-third of people over 80.

Postherpetic neuralgia can cause severe nerve pain (neuralgia) that persists after the rash and any other symptoms of shingles have gone. If you have pain for more than three months after your shingles rash has gone, you may have postherpetic neuralgia.

Types of pain that can be experienced by people with postherpetic neuralgia include:

burning, aching or throbbing pain
stabbing or shooting pain
allodynia, where you feel pain from something that should not be painful, such as a very light touch
hyperalgesia, where you are very sensitive to pain
Postherpetic neuralgia may be treated with a number of different painkilling medicines.

Peripheral motor neuropathy
Peripheral motor neuropathy is a complication that affects one or two people in every 20 who have shingles. It is more common in elderly people.

Neuropathy means nerve damage. In this case, it is damage to a peripheral motor nerve (a nerve that controls movement). Peripheral motor neuropathy usually affects a single limb, such as an arm or leg, causing paralysis in that limb. It is usually possible to make a full recovery.

Note Red emphasis are mine.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

0lddog

Cant shingles be added to the issues highlighted by Glass fused light ?

Glass fused light

0lddog wrote: »

Cant shingles be added to the issues highlighted by Glass fused light ?

As requested

Locker10a

ted1 wrote: »

Honestly I have never seen or heard of an airline or venue denying access for anything remotely like this.

We did postpone One holiday but only because we really didn’t want to be dealing with a Dick child in holidays. We flew withhere scabbed over and no comments were ever made.

Airlines absolutely do have a strict policy about this

kerry4sam

Mod-Note:

Thread closed by me. Please consult your GP and not a discussion forum regarding health-related issues and especially when linked to travelling.

Thanks,
kerry4sam