thread: Dilema - Impetigo

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  1. #1
    Registered User

    Oct 2004
    Brisbane
    160

    Dilema - Impetigo

    I need some advice

    I have a friend who's 2 kids came down with Impetigo a week ago. She has told me they are clear but that her and her hubby have now got it.

    She wants to see me and my kids tomorrow. My gut instinct is to stay away from her until she has cleared up aswell not just the kids.

    I have a 3mth old and a 3.5yr old. Am I being over paranoid? Is it just really contagious with kids are adults able to keep it from spreading?

    I dont want to upset my friend by saying I dont want contact until it has all cleared up.

    What would you do? Anyone with any experience of this? I had not heard of it before not very common in UK (that I know of anyway!) and only recently moved to Brisbane.

    Jo

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Add krysalyss on Facebook

    Feb 2007
    on the move.....
    2,745

    Stay away!!! I think it is really unfair of her to expect you to see them when they have a contagious skin condition. Go with your gut instinct and wait until they have recovered from it as it only takes them to have touched it then to touch your child to spread it. It looks worse than it is but why put your children in that situation? Especially with such a young bub!

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Mar 2005
    Sydney, NSW
    3,352

    My DD had it when DD2 was a newborn and I was really nervous about it. It was ok with DD1 because she was older, but Im not sure they can treat the baby. DD1 ended up with antibiotics and mild infection, so defnitely not something you want.
    It is commonly known as School Sores as it is usually passed around school kids as they are sharing toilets etc. Not so bad if kept under control, but not for bub. Just say you're a bit anxious with a young one, that you'd be fine if it wasnt' for bubs. Good luck I knkow it's awkward when the others don't think it' s aproblem xoxo

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    melb
    8,498

    no way STAY AWAY she should not even think about it, you have kids who are young why would she want to risk other kids getting sick

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Croydon, Victoria
    1,754

    I actually suffer from impetigo myself. I first got it when I was 15. Apparantly I could have got it because of handling money at work. I got a really bad case just after my son was born and couldn't kiss him (or anyone else for that matter) for about 3 weeks. I also had a really bad case about 8 weeks ago.

    It is a really painful infection and can scar your skin. It is also really itchy and for a young bub could be quite irritating cause they can't scratch it. I tend to get it in the same spot every time, so I do have scarring.

    I would deffinately be telling your friend that you will have no contact with her until it has cleared completely. The best way to treat the infection is with AB's and sometimes requires 2 doses.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    3,205

    I totally agree with everyone else... stay away! To be honest she doesn't sound very responsible or considerate of others if she's going to a spa this weekend!! I always keep Oskar away from others if he's got something contagious (he had hand foot and mouth a few months back and has had bronchialitis etc)... if you tell someone and they still choose to be in contact well that's at their risk. NO to your friend though and she shouldn't feel offended if you say that you prefer to wait.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Oct 2004
    Brisbane
    160

    Thanks for that

    Like I say the kids are clear it the parents that now have it so it rings home how easily it spreads and I am a little annoyed with my friend for thinking its ok for us to see them. She has gone to a spa this weekend which personally I think is a little irresponsible to go with something so contagious but I would never tell her that.

    I will just say I dont want to put Xavier in a situation that could cause him to catch it. It is not just the fact I dont want the kids with it I dont think I have the energy if they did get it to do all the cleaning to keep it away.

    Jo

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Feb 2007
    ACT
    681

    i would def stay way as it is so contagious.

    When i kid in my dd#2 cc centre had it they were away for nearly 2 weeks. And everything had to be washed.