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What is the likelihood that a child under one year old will catch chicken pox?

My nine month old spent the weekend with his cousins. His 4 year old cousin broke out in chicken pox three days after he left. How likely is it that my baby will get chicken pox?

Public Comments

1. Very very likely.
2. Very likely. I got chicken pox twice. Kids catch everything. Be sure to watch him because of his age but better to let him catch it now and get it over with than go through it when he's older. Also if he gets it later in life, it could cause infertility.
3. it is so easy to get the chicken pox. you can get chicken pox at anytime in your life so it might actually be better for a child to get them early on so they won't have to deal with it as they get older :-)
4. It is very likely. But it is easier the younger you are. If your baby does get it, give him a lukewarm bath with a teaspoon of baking soda, and let him wear only a diaper. Clothes can irritate the pox's and make them itch more. If he runs a fever with it, Tylenol is safe to give. Also if he gets any blisters in his mouth, do not give him juice, the acid in juice can be painful. The same with foods, nothing acidic, or salty. Good luck
5. My husband's cousin deliberately brought her 3 year old over to "meet" our newly-adopted Korean son (5 months old). She neglected to inform us that she KNEW her kid was "actively infectious" with chicken pox (several days before the spots arrive) - BUT ONLY after my kid became so ill! She thought it was better that he got it then, rather than later on... Unfortunately, she also "forgot" that he had just recovered from severe pneumonia when she brought her kid over!! Ooops! As new parents, we didn't know what to do, and were absolutely frantic until we finally forced our way into the doctor's office. So, YES, it is extremely likely that your kid can "catch" chicken pox at his age! And for additional info, every year my sister and brother and I ALL came down with chicken pox in the spring and German measles in the fall -- for THREE (3) years running!! Trust me - it happens!!