Catching chicken pox (help me win a coffee)

Thoie · 07-04-2010 07:05PM #1

We were having a discussion at lunch today, and couldn't reach consensus.

I've never had chicken pox. My colleague had it as a child. Her child has it now. Can I catch it from the colleague, even though I have no contact with the child (I don't think so, so backing me up on this wins me a coffee)? How about if the colleague hadn't had chicken pox previously? In that case I think I could catch it before they know they have it (if that makes sense) - this situation would also get me coffee.

If you have severe objections to coffee, pretend it's going to win me an apple

mardybumbum · 07-04-2010 07:45PM

I think its a varicella risk to take.

locum-motion · 07-04-2010 10:51PM

mardybumbum wrote: »

I think its a vari cella risk to take.

Jesus Mardy that's the worst pun ever!

mardybumbum · 07-04-2010 11:03PM

I know.

I clicked on the thread, I was reading a chapter on viruses at that very moment, I just had to do it.
I dont regret it. :pac:

Thoie · 07-04-2010 11:24PM

mardybumbum wrote: »

I think its a varicella risk to take.

Drinking coffee or being in close proximity to my colleague?

mardybumbum · 07-04-2010 11:51PM

Thoie wrote: »

Drinking coffee or being in close proximity to my colleague?

Both.
Although she is immune, she may well be a carrier for the virus,

I think.

RobFowl · 08-04-2010 12:11AM

I'd agree with Mardy.
There is a very low but possible risk of transmission form some one potentially in the prodomal phase (possible despite previous infection).

Here's a good review
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/231927-overview

That said I feel the Mods should consider a weeks ban for that pun.......

DrIndy · 08-04-2010 01:25AM

If your colleague has had it as a child - then only in the most exceptional of circumstances can she catch it again. Therefore she is acting as a buffer from her infected child to you.

Thus you get your coffee!

On the second point, you also get a coffee - varicella presents as a flu like illness affecting the upper airways and lungs - thus people are coughing up the virus to others before the appearance of the characteristic rash. People are infectious 3 days before the rash and for 7 days afterwards (correct me if I am a day or two out on this infectious period). So although they are SICK - there is nothing to say it is chickenpox at the start - it could be a bad head cold.

locum-motion · 09-04-2010 10:13PM

RobFowl wrote: »

That said I feel the Mods should consider a weeks ban for that pun.......

I did consider it, Rob, but it ain't prohibited in the charter...

Catching chicken pox (help me win a coffee)

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