Chickenpox in young infants

[MEcatlady17]

I read that a person is infectious 1-2 days before the rash appears and you don't come down with chickenpox for 10-15 days after exposure... An infant in our church 'came down' with chickenpox a couple of days ago and we spent time at church Saturday as well as at a potluck meal afterward. My baby is 2 months old and has likely been exposed as the child got the rash the next day I believe. I know you can contract it even just by being in the same room. My baby and the other baby did not actually touch, but the other baby's siblings did touch my baby (they had the pox first but were healed over by this time, but I assume they can be carriers right?). Should I be worried that DD will contract the pox? If she does is it more dangerous at her age?

We planned to let her get natural immunity but I hoped that would be as a toddler not a new baby!

Any info you can offer or stories of young babies who've had chickenpox?
TIA!

[Marnica]

She might get it (def not from the older siblings( once the scabs are crusted over it is not contagious anymore. But she maight not either. Bo you BF? If you do, if she gets it at all, it would most likely be very mild case. If she does come down with it just nurse her a ton (if you BF) and do NOT give tylenol or other antipyretics. There are homeopathics that can help with CP that are safe for infants to take.

[MEcatlady17]

She is exclusively BF. I am immune to chicken pox. I know she can't get it from the healed older sibs, but wasn't sure if you can carry the virus or if it was just through the breath and saliva of the infected person. DD has been super fussy acting the past couple days and pretty sleepy today. I really hope she doesn't get sick, I don't know if I am ready for it yet!

[newmum35]

So did she ever get sick?

I got it at 5 or 6 months and my mom tells me I had it pretty bad, or was pretty sick. But I was formula fed and never had a drop of BM (I suspect I would have had a much milder case if I had been breastfed) All I know is I now have immunity, and do not remember the experience.

I'm guessing if you have immunity, the baby is protected for about 6 months through the placenta antibodies which are said to last about that long (even if not breastfeeding I think), but not positive on this.

[MEcatlady17]

She never did end up getting sick. I am relieved! She was exposed twice by the same baby and since then I have heard of many more kids within our community who have the pox to varying degrees. I am guessing she is covered by my immunity still being so young and EBF. Hopefully we can hold off on the pox until she is at least a year old.

[newmum35]

thanks for the update. thats great news