What do you know about chicken pox?

My 13mth old has the chicken pox that for sure i know as his older brother has just had them, however as he is immunised his was alot less severe then bubs case.

I do know it is contagious up to 5 days prior to the spots being present and also right through until the last spot has crusted over. I'am a little confused though as why at 5 days since the first spots appeared that he still has more spots appearing, they should be starting to crust over now at least but they aren't - not even the first to appear have crusted :( Could it be due to the fact that he isn't immunised against chicken pox yet (they get the first lot at 18mths now as i'm sure you all know).

Wondering if it has anything to do with the fact i have given him Nurofen due to the temps (panadol does nothing for him) and i have read since that they dont recommend you use it when they have chicken pox ??? Could it just be coincidence or do you think the nurofen might be slowing the healing process down.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, i think if he is still getting more spots tomorrow that i will call the Dr and see what they can suggest. Poor baby is covered in spots :(

Firstly, your elder child wasn't immunised. He was vaccinated. Now he has had chicken pox, he is probably immune to getting them again. I'm pleased he didn't have the pox severely though - it is a very nasty illness.

Chicken pox takes about 7-14 days to develop in the system before the spots appear. If you live with someone with chicken pox, you are more likely to get it more severely than someone with one exposure. Spots can continue to appear for a few days and don't crust for about a week, from memory.

DS had bad chicken pox (we aren't given the vax here, not even offered) and was given water laced with neurofen, calpol and anti-allergy meds to help him. On the doctor's advice. We also had anti-eczema bath cream in our baths (lots of them) and strong moisturiser. I think it was all over after 2 weeks, could have been 3. As for the temps, I was advised to get him outside at least once a day, it was cold outside and that really helped. If his temp doesn't come down after being outside, you need to see a doctor.

HTH and do see a doctor if you are worried. Chicken Pox can affect the lungs too, so make sure your son is breathing OK too.

It usually takes two weeks to clear up, and avoid heat. Luke warm baths are recommended as the heat can bring out more spots. The temp would be bub's system fighting it, so it is good unless it is really high. If you can't lower it then you need to see a dr asap.

When I had chicken pox I had a severe case that lasted 4 weeks, and required hospitalisation because it affected my breathing and central nervous system. But it was a really bad case.