Chicken Pox

JustCricket

Anyone find out they didn't have the chicken pox antibodies in their blood???

I've never had the chicken pox, and although I thought I was decently exposed (I can thank my cousins for that) apparently I tested as not-immune to it. Obviously it's too late to get the vaccine... So I guess just have to be extra careful around people. My brother(who is in nursing school) jokingly suggested wearing a mask in public. lmao. I also am going up to visit H's family in May. I know SIL is anti-vax, so I'm kind of worried about being around her LO (who will be 2.5ish) if she could be potentially a incubator for the pox. She's of the mindset of "let em catch it and then be immune" which is all hunky dory, as long as she's not around me while I'm pg!

PurrBox

Wow, sorry to hear that!

So they don't think it's a good idea to get the vaccination while pregnant?

JustCricket

PurrBox said:

Wow, sorry to hear that!

So they don't think it's a good idea to get the vaccination while pregnant?

unfortunately no. https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/infections-chickenpox.html

RobynD99

My doctor made me get the vaccine before we even started doing any fertility stuff. It took forever to find a doctor and then it's a 2shot dose and then u have to wait a monto after the 2nd dose to start anything.

JustCricket

I never had them, but when I went into school for medical assisting I had titers drawn and I do have the antibodies. I'm terrified of getting them as an adult.

I should have had that done a long time ago... I guess being around it a lot doesn't mean shit when it comes to immunity.

ETA- no one in my immediate family has had it. My Mom tested positive for the antibodies and so did my dad and one of my brothers. My other brother just got his first shot a week or so ago.

JustCricket

23Melissa28 said:

I never had them, but when I went into school for medical assisting I had titers drawn and I do have the antibodies. I'm terrified of getting them as an adult.

I should have had that done a long time ago... I guess being around it a lot doesn't mean shit when it comes to immunity.

I would ask my doctor, just for your own piece of mind. Definitely wouldn't want to get it pregnant. Now I'm all nervous lol

they tested me at my first appointment. that's how I found out. they haven't said anything yet since the results came in a few days after we met. You should be fine if you tested the way you said you did.

PurrBox

Just stay away from kids for a while and everything will probably be fine. It's those little kiddos that spread everything, lol. I went to a birthday party for my little nephew a couple weeks ago and ended up with a horrible cold.

MMason12

That's a bummer that you are not immune; however, even wearing a mask there are other ways that you can get chicken poxs.  You are probably around dozens of people every single day who have never had their chicken pox shots unless you walk through the grocery store asking every single you walk by if they have been immunized.  I really don't think your niece is going to be your only non-immunized person you are going to come in contact with while pregnant and it is a little insane to say she has to avoid you for 9 months. 

PurrBox

MMason12 said:

That's a bummer that you are not immune; however, even wearing a mask there are other ways that you can get chicken poxs.  You are probably around dozens of people every single day who have never had their chicken pox shots unless you walk through the grocery store asking every single you walk by if they have been immunized.  I really don't think your niece is going to be your only non-immunized person you are going to come in contact with while pregnant and it is a little insane to say she has to avoid you for 9 months. 

See, I think it's a great idea to avoid any non-vaccinated children during the pregnancy if she doesn't have immunity to it. It's very contagious, and on top of that, the immune system is weaker during pregnancy.

It's better safe than sorry. Of course, your doctor would give you more accurate advice on whether or not you should steer clear of your niece.

JustCricket

MMason12 said:

That's a bummer that you are not immune; however, even wearing a mask there are other ways that you can get chicken poxs.  You are probably around dozens of people every single day who have never had their chicken pox shots unless you walk through the grocery store asking every single you walk by if they have been immunized.  I really don't think your niece is going to be your only non-immunized person you are going to come in contact with while pregnant and it is a little insane to say she has to avoid you for 9 months. 

my brother was joking about the mask... he also mentioned bubble wrap and isolating myself to my house the whole time... also jokes.
As for SIL's daughter, she's in daycare and play groups. So I would say her chance of getting the chicken pox are fairly high. We live so far away that it'll just be the one visit. Not a fan of SIL or H's brother so I don't really care if I piss her off. (H doesn't like them either, but that's a whole different topic)

MMason12

PurrBox said:

MMason12 said:

That's a bummer that you are not immune; however, even wearing a mask there are other ways that you can get chicken poxs.  You are probably around dozens of people every single day who have never had their chicken pox shots unless you walk through the grocery store asking every single you walk by if they have been immunized.  I really don't think your niece is going to be your only non-immunized person you are going to come in contact with while pregnant and it is a little insane to say she has to avoid you for 9 months. 

See, I think it's a great idea to avoid any non-vaccinated children during the pregnancy if she doesn't have immunity to it. It's very contagious, and on top of that, the immune system is weaker during pregnancy.

It's better safe than sorry. Of course, your doctor would give you more accurate advice on whether or not you should steer clear of your niece.

Unless you plan on asking every single child you walk by or live in a box for 9 months there is zero way you can avoid any all non-vaccinated children while you are pregnant. That is a totally unreasonable thought if you believe someone could actually do that. 

MMason12

flyawaycricket said:

MMason12 said:

That's a bummer that you are not immune; however, even wearing a mask there are other ways that you can get chicken poxs.  You are probably around dozens of people every single day who have never had their chicken pox shots unless you walk through the grocery store asking every single you walk by if they have been immunized.  I really don't think your niece is going to be your only non-immunized person you are going to come in contact with while pregnant and it is a little insane to say she has to avoid you for 9 months. 

my brother was joking about the mask... he also mentioned bubble wrap and isolating myself to my house the whole time... also jokes.
As for SIL's daughter, she's in daycare and play groups. So I would say her chance of getting the chicken pox are fairly high. We live so far away that it'll just be the one visit. Not a fan of SIL or H's brother so I don't really care if I piss her off. (H doesn't like them either, but that's a whole different topic)

That makes much more sense then. :-) One rare visit is easier to deal with verse normally seeing them 5 times a week and then cutting them off.  And don't worry -- we all have sister-in-laws we don't like for one reason or another. :-)

chusum

I would potentially be scared, but at the same time you've lived this long without catching it, what are the chances during the remaining 7-8 months you have left? I know your immunity is a little compromised right now, maybe just use a lot of hand sanitizer, hand washing, and child avoiding for the time being. And if it doesn't matter if you insult your SIL I would completely avoid the 2.5 y/o! 

I think I'm OK, but I always hear stories of people who have had the chicken pox still getting it again or the shingles, which to be honest I really don't know how you get but it has something to do with the chicken pox virus being in your body.

JustCricket

reverey said:

I'm 40 and have never had Chicken Pox either! No idea if I have the anti-bodies but I guess I'll find out soon enough...

A co-worker of mine had Shingles last year and came to work and I seriously flipped out..like WTF were you THINKING coming in around people with that?? You can give someone Pox if you have Shingles...crazy.

FX I have the antibodies.  I know it may be unpopular but I chose NOT to vaccinate last year as 1) I was afraid I'd get it, 2) I figured I've made it THIS long without getting them & 3) I didn't want to spend precious months getting the 2 shots and waiting before TTC when i'm already AMA. I may get it once LO is here though...

I totally get your reasoning. Also from what I was reading, you can get the first one in the hospital after birth and then the other however many months after. It's okay for breastfeeding mommas. Fingers crossed you have the antibodies. Nothing like one more thing to worry about. But like you said, I've made it this long without catching it... but I don't hang around kids... like ever.

ETA-WTF on that co-worker that came in with shingles.. I understand some people really can't take off work.. but still SHINGLES!

seacatch

I do understand everyone's thoughts on whether to get the vaccine and whether chickenpox is that big of a deal. My only thoughts are that if you haven't had the chicken pox before and/or do not have the antibodies, that you do at least consider the vaccine for yourself after having the kid. (just consider)

I had been plenty exposed when I was a child (went to daycare, spent time with friends at their house to find out a day or two later they had it) but I never got it. It wasn't until I was an adult and spent some time with preschoolers that my body finally gave in. Getting chicken pox as an adult was HORRIBLE (if I could write that in death flame font I would). I won't go into detail, especially since it still gives me nightmares to remember those spots and all the horrible places they were, but I will say that thankfully I had someone to take care of me and there was no one I had to take care. I could not do anything, even stand on my own for long, for at least a week, and then after it took awhile to get back to 100%.

I will admit that it did take having kids all over me to get it. So, not walking through the stores or chance encounters with stray children. It was playing with, hugging, getting kisses, holding hands, picking up, and being in close contact with a kid that had it.

Tussie Mussie

Might want to add all toddlers to your avoid list if you're going that route. We vaccinate, and not even on a delayed schedule, but she doesn't get the chicken pox vaccine until 4. 

jg1011

I don't have immunity to chicken pox either. Nor do I have immunity to measles, mumps, rubella (apparently I need a booster which I can't get until after I deliver?) or fifths disease either.

Not sure why MMR is that way as I was vaccinated, but I've never had chicken pox. I'm a teacher and doctors are in awe that after teaching for 18 years I've not been exposed to any of this! Go figure.....

My theory is I can't live in a bubble, especially teaching and with a 15 month old in daycare. I take precautions with hand washing incessantly. I do the best I can. 

Jennesia

When I was pregnant with my first the Dr. tested me and it came back that my antibodies were low. This was almost 7 years ago. I chose not to have a booster shot. I know that I had pox as a child because my mom remembers me getting it and then later on my brothers getting it together.
I do avoid others if I know they had/been exposed to pox/shingles. I am fortunate that both side of my family are over cautious in that regard as my nephew on DH's side was a preemie and my mom's BF's daughter has an auto-immune disease(CVID). Her body does not produce T or B cells naturally(all her vaccines she had as an infant/toddler didn't take).

With these factors on both sides, we are an overly germ conscience family.

Irisheyes1247

I don't think antibodies always stay with you forever. I remember my aunt saying when she was pregnant w her first, they tested her for measles antibodies (I think) and she didn't have them. They tested her again after her second child was born two years later and she had to have the booster again. But I am not a dr, so I don't know this for sure.

PurrBox

MMason12 said:

PurrBox said:

 

See, I think it's a great idea to avoid any non-vaccinated children during the pregnancy if she doesn't have immunity to it. It's very contagious, and on top of that, the immune system is weaker during pregnancy.

It's better safe than sorry. Of course, your doctor would give you more accurate advice on whether or not you should steer clear of your niece.

Unless you plan on asking every single child you walk by or live in a box for 9 months there is zero way you can avoid any all non-vaccinated children while you are pregnant. That is a totally unreasonable thought if you believe someone could actually do that. 

That's why I originally said that I would stay away from all young children as much as practically possible. But OP knows for a fact that her niece isn't vaccinated, so it seems like the obvious best choice would be to stay away from her throughout pregnancy.

fluffball80

flyawaycricket said:

MMason12 said:

That's a bummer that you are not immune; however, even wearing a mask there are other ways that you can get chicken poxs.  You are probably around dozens of people every single day who have never had their chicken pox shots unless you walk through the grocery store asking every single you walk by if they have been immunized.  I really don't think your niece is going to be your only non-immunized person you are going to come in contact with while pregnant and it is a little insane to say she has to avoid you for 9 months. 

my brother was joking about the mask... he also mentioned bubble wrap and isolating myself to my house the whole time... also jokes.
As for SIL's daughter, she's in daycare and play groups. So I would say her chance of getting the chicken pox are fairly high. We live so far away that it'll just be the one visit. Not a fan of SIL or H's brother so I don't really care if I piss her off. (H doesn't like them either, but that's a whole different topic)

Getting chicken pox is actually harder than you think.  Just because she is not-vax and is in daycare and playgroups doesn't give her a higher chance of getting them.   I have been looking for 8 years for my daughter and I finally just found them where we live.  Thankfully its a good wild stain so I exposed her to it twice within 2 days of each exposure.  For some kids its taking 3 or 4 times of exposure for them to get them.  I would ask if your sister in law is purposely exposing her child.  We told family that we see regularly just so they were aware. 

JustCricket

you purposefully exposed your kid to that? I hope you kept her away from others during this process.... 

portentosa

@fluffball80 It's hard to find these days because there is a vaccine for it now. The vaccine is helping to eradicate it... and that's a good thing. Why would you WANT to infect your daughter with a 'wild strain'?

bumpuser10199668

@fluffball80 how do you even go about finding it? is that a craigslist section i'm unaware of?


WANTED: Someone to willingly infect my small child with an infectious disease! Thanks!

portentosa

carmstr4 said:

@fluffball80 how do you even go about finding it? is that a craigslist section i'm unaware of?


WANTED: Someone to willingly infect my small child with an infectious disease! Thanks!

fluffball80

trombgirl said:

@fluffball80 It's hard to find these days because there is a vaccine for it now. The vaccine is helping to eradicate it... and that's a good thing. Why would you WANT to infect your daughter with a 'wild strain'?

 Her father and I believe natural immunity is better than the vaccine.  Its our choice as her parents to do what we feel is best for her.  If you feel that vaccines are the best for your family then that is your choice and I respect that.

fluffball80

trombgirl said:

carmstr4 said:

@fluffball80 how do you even go about finding it? is that a craigslist section i'm unaware of?


WANTED: Someone to willingly infect my small child with an infectious disease! Thanks!

There are facebook groups and yahoo groups along with connecting with those who are like minded. 

fluffball80

carmstr4 said:

@fluffball80 how do you even go about finding it? is that a craigslist section i'm unaware of?


WANTED: Someone to willingly infect my small child with an infectious disease! Thanks!

I have no idea if there is a section in Craigslist for that.  There are facebook groups and yahoo groups and other groups for those who are like minded. 

JustCricket

fluffball80 said:

trombgirl said:

@fluffball80 It's hard to find these days because there is a vaccine for it now. The vaccine is helping to eradicate it... and that's a good thing. Why would you WANT to infect your daughter with a 'wild strain'?

 Her father and I believe natural immunity is better than the vaccine.  Its our choice as her parents to do what we feel is best for her.  If you feel that vaccines are the best for your family then that is your choice and I respect that.

as long as you keep your kid away from others and isolated from before she shows symptoms until after. It's contagious about 2-3 days BEFORE symptoms show until the LAST pock is gone. and since the incubation period is up to 21 days (up to 21 days she could break out after being exposed) that could be a lot of isolation. But I'm sure you didn't follow that protocol and potentially exposed immuno compromised people to it. 

ETA- all this is doing is prolonging the life of the disease.. when a vaccine can completely IRRADICATE a disease. Do you think it's better to get exposed to polio and other diseases so that you can build up your natural immunities?

bumpuser10199668

@fluffbal80 is it really "natural" to run around for 8 years LOOKING for disease and than taking your daughter to strangers in hopes that she will get infected? It seems extremely unsafe...and FAR from natural

fluffball80

carmstr4 said:

@fluffbal80 is it really "natural" to run around for 8 years LOOKING for disease and than taking your daughter to strangers in hopes that she will get infected? It seems extremely unsafe...and FAR from natural

For us yes.  I have actually now have two new friends that I wouldn't have made otherwise.  It was no different than going to a strangers house for the first time for a play date.  That is what is great about this country.  We can parent how we choice.  I have no problem with parents who vaccinating their kids and I hope that others will respect our decision not to.  I did respect those who we were around a lot by letting them know and I informed her teacher when she got them.  Her teacher sent out an email and her school let the health department know.  I also contacted her doctor who put it in her file the date she got them.

JustCricket

that still doesn't protect those who were exposed to it the 2-3 days before she showed symptoms

fluffball80

flyawaycricket said:

fluffball80 said:

trombgirl said:

@fluffball80 It's hard to find these days because there is a vaccine for it now. The vaccine is helping to eradicate it... and that's a good thing. Why would you WANT to infect your daughter with a 'wild strain'?

 Her father and I believe natural immunity is better than the vaccine.  Its our choice as her parents to do what we feel is best for her.  If you feel that vaccines are the best for your family then that is your choice and I respect that.

as long as you keep your kid away from others and isolated from before she shows symptoms until after. It's contagious about 2-3 days BEFORE symptoms show until the LAST pock is gone. and since the incubation period is up to 21 days (up to 21 days she could break out after being exposed) that could be a lot of isolation. But I'm sure you didn't follow that protocol and potentially exposed immuno compromised people to it. 

ETA- all this is doing is prolonging the life of the disease.. when a vaccine can completely IRRADICATE a disease. Do you think it's better to get exposed to polio and other diseases so that you can build up your natural immunities?

Actually when she was most contagious before the pox showed up she was at home for the weekend and snow days.  The people who we were actually around that weekend already knew and was okay with her being around.  I also let her teacher know and she sent an email out.  The school notified the health department and I contacted her doctor who put it in her file.  She got them on day 11 and 13 from exposure.  Thank you for assuming that I am not concern for those who have compromised immunity. 

Thankfully we live in a country where we can do what we feel is best for our children.  I respect those parents who vaccinate their kids and hope that they can respect my decision.  Parenting isn't a one size fits all.

JustCricket

fluffball80 said:

flyawaycricket said:

fluffball80 said:

trombgirl said:

@fluffball80 It's hard to find these days because there is a vaccine for it now. The vaccine is helping to eradicate it... and that's a good thing. Why would you WANT to infect your daughter with a 'wild strain'? 

 Her father and I believe natural immunity is better than the vaccine.  Its our choice as her parents to do what we feel is best for her.  If you feel that vaccines are the best for your family then that is your choice and I respect that.

as long as you keep your kid away from others and isolated from before she shows symptoms until after. It's contagious about 2-3 days BEFORE symptoms show until the LAST pock is gone. and since the incubation period is up to 21 days (up to 21 days she could break out after being exposed) that could be a lot of isolation. But I'm sure you didn't follow that protocol and potentially exposed immuno compromised people to it. 

ETA- all this is doing is prolonging the life of the disease.. when a vaccine can completely IRRADICATE a disease. Do you think it's better to get exposed to polio and other diseases so that you can build up your natural immunities?

Actually when she was most contagious before the pox showed up she was at home for the weekend and snow days.  The people who we were actually around that weekend already knew and was okay with her being around.  I also let her teacher know and she sent an email out.  The school notified the health department and I contacted her doctor who put it in her file.  She got them on day 11 and 13 from exposure.  Thank you for assuming that I am not concern for those who have compromised immunity.  

Thankfully we live in a country where we can do what we feel is best for our children.  I respect those parents who vaccinate their kids and hope that they can respect my decision.  Parenting isn't a one size fits all.

but see you left out that valuable piece of information the first time around. Unfortunately you had no clue as to when she was going to have those symptoms show up... so potentially she could have been at school when it happened. it looks like you lucked out though.

bumpuser10199668

fluffball80 said:

flyawaycricket said:

MMason12 said:

That's a bummer that you are not immune; however, even wearing a mask there are other ways that you can get chicken poxs.  You are probably around dozens of people every single day who have never had their chicken pox shots unless you walk through the grocery store asking every single you walk by if they have been immunized.  I really don't think your niece is going to be your only non-immunized person you are going to come in contact with while pregnant and it is a little insane to say she has to avoid you for 9 months. 

my brother was joking about the mask... he also mentioned bubble wrap and isolating myself to my house the whole time... also jokes.
As for SIL's daughter, she's in daycare and play groups. So I would say her chance of getting the chicken pox are fairly high. We live so far away that it'll just be the one visit. Not a fan of SIL or H's brother so I don't really care if I piss her off. (H doesn't like them either, but that's a whole different topic)

Getting chicken pox is actually harder than you think.  Just because she is not-vax and is in daycare and playgroups doesn't give her a higher chance of getting them.   I have been looking for 8 years for my daughter and I finally just found them where we live.  Thankfully its a good wild stain so I exposed her to it twice within 2 days of each exposure.  For some kids its taking 3 or 4 times of exposure for them to get them.  I would ask if your sister in law is purposely exposing her child.  We told family that we see regularly just so they were aware. 

I'm still so bothered by this. Yes, we are a free country but most states have a requirement your child have this before entering school.  Are you in an exempt state?

Also, you warned families you see often and you said your daughter missed when she had a snow day after exposure, but did you warn her classmates' parents prior to exposure that this was a possibility?

And I'm very curious as to how an infection party ad is worded? Shed any light?

bumpuser10199668

If anyone else is following this thread and as disgusted by this practice as I am....

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2011/11/the-chicken-pox-party-parents-caught-infecting-kids-with-virus/248768/

This is a very scary and very REAL thing that is happening, that we should all be aware of.  Some crazies are sending it through the MAIL. Please be careful and keep your LOs safe.

JustCricket

carmstr4 said:

If anyone else is following this thread and as disgusted by this practice as I am....

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2011/11/the-chicken-pox-party-parents-caught-infecting-kids-with-virus/248768/

This is a very scary and very REAL thing that is happening, that we should all be aware of.  Some crazies are sending it through the MAIL. Please be careful and keep your LOs safe.

Thank you for posting this Carm!

AccioPizza

carmstr4 said:

If anyone else is following this thread and as disgusted by this practice as I am....

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2011/11/the-chicken-pox-party-parents-caught-infecting-kids-with-virus/248768/

This is a very scary and very REAL thing that is happening, that we should all be aware of.  Some crazies are sending it through the MAIL. Please be careful and keep your LOs safe.

OMG this article is nuts! What are people thinking?

portentosa

AccioPizza said:

If anyone else is following this thread and as disgusted by this practice as I am....

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2011/11/the-chicken-pox-party-parents-caught-infecting-kids-with-virus/248768/

This is a very scary and very REAL thing that is happening, that we should all be aware of.  Some crazies are sending it through the MAIL. Please be careful and keep your LOs safe.

OMG this article is nuts! What are people thinking?

Agreed. I am horrified that people do this.

fluffball80

carmstr4 said:

fluffball80 said:

flyawaycricket said:

MMason12 said:

That's a bummer that you are not immune; however, even wearing a mask there are other ways that you can get chicken poxs.  You are probably around dozens of people every single day who have never had their chicken pox shots unless you walk through the grocery store asking every single you walk by if they have been immunized.  I really don't think your niece is going to be your only non-immunized person you are going to come in contact with while pregnant and it is a little insane to say she has to avoid you for 9 months. 

my brother was joking about the mask... he also mentioned bubble wrap and isolating myself to my house the whole time... also jokes.
As for SIL's daughter, she's in daycare and play groups. So I would say her chance of getting the chicken pox are fairly high. We live so far away that it'll just be the one visit. Not a fan of SIL or H's brother so I don't really care if I piss her off. (H doesn't like them either, but that's a whole different topic)

Getting chicken pox is actually harder than you think.  Just because she is not-vax and is in daycare and playgroups doesn't give her a higher chance of getting them.   I have been looking for 8 years for my daughter and I finally just found them where we live.  Thankfully its a good wild stain so I exposed her to it twice within 2 days of each exposure.  For some kids its taking 3 or 4 times of exposure for them to get them.  I would ask if your sister in law is purposely exposing her child.  We told family that we see regularly just so they were aware. 

I'm still so bothered by this. Yes, we are a free country but most states have a requirement your child have this before entering school.  Are you in an exempt state?

Also, you warned families you see often and you said your daughter missed when she had a snow day after exposure, but did you warn her classmates' parents prior to exposure that this was a possibility?

And I'm very curious as to how an infection party ad is worded? Shed any light?

We have lived in three different state so far and all of them had exemptions.  I also signed an exemption for when she was in a home daycare.  All states have medical exemption.  All but two have religious exemptions as well.  I told her school that she could possible be getting the chickenpox.  I am not sure what if anything they did.  I only know what her teacher did because she emailed to see if it was okay with me to send out an email.   I of course said yes.

I found the cases on two of the facebook pages that I am on.  You post that your kid has chicken pox and open for playgroup.  Its the same thing my parents did when I was little except it neighborhood kids instead of online.   I will say it is illegal to mail chickenpox.  If you are on the boards it is made known that it is illegal.

JustCricket

what are your religious/medical exemptions.. just curious. And yes SOME of our parents may have done that... but that was before there was a vaccine. And before there was a vaccine, children and others DIED from complications.