[Megieblue]

My 15 month old has just come down with the chickenpox (got it from his daddy who had shingles a couple of weeks ago). I noticed a pimple like spot this morning on his neck and in the past 7 hours, he now has at least a dozen of them everywhere. The doctor confirmed it a few hours back. I have a few questions. My baby was not vaccinated but his three year old brother was. Is it possible for his brother to get it too? Should I keep his brother out of school tomorrow just in case? Will he be contagious?

My doctor mentioned a medicine to end chickenpox faster. He recommended I give it to DS but I haven't heard anything about it and giving it makes me nervous. Has anyone heard anything about it?

DS is still nursing hourly so I know he's got my immunities built up. Any ideas on how long and severe this will be? How long should I expect to stay inside?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on how to ease his discomfort? Thanks so much in advance.

 

[InfoisPower]

Yes your eldest is still suceptible. He may well be contagious. Some can be silent carriers, not exhibiting the disease but contagious none the less. The doc probably recommended an antiviral...check out the side effects first and whether it's even recommended for kids. Lots of off label prescription writing out there. No way to tell how severe it will be, depends on their general health.

Rhus Tox is a homeopathic that is used for itching, worked well in my case. Oatmeal baths (just grind some up in a coffee grinder and put in a cloth bag, tie it up and put it under the faucet) help a lot. Keep them cool as much as possible, heat makes them blister more and itch more. Melissa (Lemon Balm) tea has antiviral properties, if you can get them to drink tea.
Increase their (or your if you're still breastfeeding) sodium ascorbate intake to bowel tolerance, and increase vitamin A (beta carotene) intake as well as Zinc.
Other mothers may have other suggestions.

This should last about 10 days from blistering to healing.

 

[jackson's mama]

The medication they give to reduce the severity of CP is acyclovir. It is a medication commonly prescribed for herpes (oral and genital), and it IS FDA approved to treat CP (so its not an off-label usage). I've seen two children (siblings) that took acyclovir during their CP and their cases were SO light. They weren't uncomfortable at all, very few lesions, no fever after they started taking it. I'm not advocating giving it because only you can determine your comfort level with medications, but it certainly did work well for them. It has been on the market for well over 15 years. The children that took it were 8 months and 3 years (if I recall correctly). You can do a search for acyclovir (Zovirax is the brand name) for more info.

Links:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t083400.asp
http://www.parentsoup.com/experts/pe...417016,00.html

For comfort measures, I remember oatmeal baths being very soothing (like Aveeno). Medications that may help include Tylenol for the fever and pain, and Benedryl for the itching. I apologize for all the med info, I realize it may not be welcome but I'm a nurse

: and I can't help it.

 

[InfoisPower]

Be very,very cautious about giving antipyretics to kids with chickenpox. There is a link to giving them and a risk of necrotising faciitis. If they're not uncomfortable I wouldn't risk it myself.
http://general-medicine.jwatch.org/c...ull/1999/420/1

 

[InfoisPower]

This thread may be of help: http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...0&pagenumber=2

 

[jackson's mama]

Great link, Info! Lots of good info there. Hehe, your username is appropriate

.

 

[turquoise]

Not much help, but just a question for future reference...Does using a med that reduces the effects of the CP increase the chance of Shingles? I remember hearing reading that folk who got a very mild case of CP would be more likely to get shingles, does that apply here?