Exposure to Chicken pox

[arlgold]

If my son (3 mos.old) has been exposed to chicken pox, what are the things we need to do or be concerened about?  Also, is it likely that he will contract chicken pox if his baby sitter (who had chicken pox) is living with someone who has chicken pox?

[Austinsmom28]

I don't know alot about this but I do know you CAN be a carry of the chicken pox virus without actually getting the chicken pox.. I would just watch him really close..

[nurse12hr]

Good question for your pediatrician.

Any time a susceptible person is exposed to chicken pox, there is a good chance of catching it.  If you are totally breastfeeding, and you have had chicken pox, the baby may have some immunity from you, but don't count on it.

Ask your ped. since the baby is so young.

[sunEday]

There's a 21 day incubation period for chicken pox and it's really rare to catch it unless your son were in direct contact with an infected person.  My daughters both broke out at the same time.  One was seven years old the other eight weeks old.  I freaked out about the baby the day I saw the first spot.  By the end of the week I was glad she had gotten them before she was old enough to complain.  My seven year old was miserable (and all of us with her)  But the baby hardly noticed, plus she couldn't scratch so they went away really fast.  She's cried more during a cold than she did with the chicken pox.  The doctor said there was nothing at all to worry about, use calamine lotion and oatmeal baths to sooth the itch, baby tylenol for a fever and never use aspirin.  Good Luck!