Chicken Pox

[Jodibug]

I have an oportunity to expose unvaccinated 2yo DS to chicken pox(well shingles, but as I understand it they are the same virus). Is he too young(do you have any resources you could share)? I'd like him to get immunity from the disease rather than the vaccine, but with most kids being vaccinated I don't know when this opportunity will present itself again. And if he hasn't had CP at some point before 8 or so I think I'd go ahead and get the vax b/c I know CP can become much more severe with age. Has anyone done this before? It feels very strange/wrong to intentionally expose my guy to an illness and hope he gets it. I thought I would jump at this opportunity, but now I'm not so sure, though I know the alternative is to have him vaxed later on and I don't like that either.

[ASusan]

I think 2 yrs is not too young. No references for you, just past reading and family experiences.

My sister had CP around 20  mos.  It was very mild for her, but enough of a bother that she was not comfortable in diapers. Turns out she was very easily potty trained while she had CP.

Younger than 1, I would not feel comfortable with an intentional exposure. Between 15mos and 4 yrs I think is ideal.  The older they are, the more they tend to react/have a worse case.