Case History: 4-year-old Oliver

Sarah Ord, 35, is married to stockbroker Andrew, 38. They have three boys, Oliver, four, Charlie, two, and Billy, six months, and live in South-West London. Oliver has had chickenpox for a week. Sarah says:

I'm sure Oliver picked it up at nursery school. He's had lots of spots on his back, tummy and face.The main problem is the itchiness. He hasn't had a fever, but he's had nightmares, which I think is a part of being ill.

I didn't bother to take him to the doctor because I was pretty sure what it was.Three of his friends around the corner have it and at nursery the day before he got the spots, six of the children were off with it.

I assumed that it was chickenpox and phoned my GP to confirm it. I know they are talking about bringing in a vaccine, but I'd far rather he had chickenpox than a jab. I've been giving him an antihistamine syrup called Piriton, and also calamine lotion once a day before he goes to bed for the itching.

He understands he shouldn't go near the baby, because I think he's too little to be ill. But I fully expect Charlie to get it.

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