Fit To Fly After Chicken Pox

Jodygr

Hi, I am hoping someone has had some experience of this and may be able to help? I am due to fly on 3rd September and my 10mth old came down with chicken pox 14 days before we fly. I have done all of the usual things you would expect, google, speak to the tour operator, insurance company etc and all have said he will be ok to fly by then. The re-occurring thing I see and have been told by the tour operator too is that its best to take a letter from the doctor to say that he is fit to fly. So, I called my surgery and they have spoken to the doctor who assured me he will not be contagious then and will be fine to fly BUT it is surgery policy that they never issue a letter to fly under any circumstance. I have argued the toss with them as this is so common for airlines to need this in varying circumstances so I dont understand why they wont issue one. Even the NHS's own website suggests a letter from the doctor. Can my doctor refuse to give me a letter (I am happy to pay) if my son is indeed clear to fly by the time we go away? I obviously wouldnt fly if he was still contagious so please dont misunderstand and think I would put others at risk, I just cant see why a surgery would have a policy that they say they wont issue a letter to anyone who will be unable to fly without one under any circumstances. Anyones help appreciated, thank you

agrinnall

If he's better by the time your flight is due how would anyone at the airport even know that he'd had chicken pox?

Jodygr

My daughter had chicken pox 2 weeks ago and she still has the remains of some scabs even though they are not contagious. I have read about lots of people ejected from planes or refused flight at the presence of the scabs as the airline cant be sure what the spots are without a doctors letter. I just want to cover all bases and the airline have advised me to get a letter to so they can be sure

PeacefulWaters

Hat on. Sunglasses on. Head down.

You'll sail through.

Jodygr

lol!! I hope so! I wouldnt fly if he was putting anyone at risk but I know he wont be. I just read so many evicted from flights at the presence of scabs I would be mortified if that was us!

2nd_Time_Lucky

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Hat on. Sunglasses on. Head down.

You'll sail through.

I can remember this & a thick layer of foundation applied by my mum to get my 8yr old brother on a flight without a problem

rach_k

I can understand if they don't want to issue fit to fly letters (they can't say you don't have anything else - the chicken pox issue may be fine but you could come down with the plague on the morning of the flight!) but would the doctor do a letter confirming that your child has had chicken pox and that they're not contagious once scabbed over? That would confirm to the airport staff that the child's scabs are okay but the doctor is also protected.

Jodygr

Sadly not rach_k, they say it is practice policy that they will not issue letters to anyone under any circumstances, I dont know why that is or even if they are able to refuse as the NHS website itself suggests a letter from the GP. I understand that they cant say he will not have any other illness but I just want them to look at him, say yes those arent contagious and he is able to fly, heres a letter to say so. It seems they are just being awkward to me.

IAmWales

Jodygr wrote: »

Sadly not rach_k, they say it is practice policy that they will not issue letters to anyone under any circumstances, I dont know why that is or even if they are able to refuse as the NHS website itself suggests a letter from the GP. I understand that they cant say he will not have any other illness but I just want them to look at him, say yes those arent contagious and he is able to fly, heres a letter to say so. It seems they are just being awkward to me.

Of course they can refuse, writing a letter for you to go on holiday is not an NHS service.

The reason many doctors now refuse is the potential for litigation. Blame the compensation culture and people making frivolous claims.

If you do a Google search you should be able to find a private GP service in your area. Give them a call and ask if they might provide such a letter, and arrange an appt accordingly.

Jodygr

Thanks IAmWales, I have pushed the subject with my practice and they have agreed (after speaking to the practice manager) to see my son a couple of days before and give him a letter if he is of course clear. It just sort of makes you feel you cant rely on your GP to have confidence in their own ability to diagnose and evaluate a condition without the fear of being held accountable.....I don't think that's a good situation! :-/

Besides all of that, the NHS advice on their own website says that you should have a doctors note in these circumstances so how can it be claimed it is not an NHS service? I would happily pay for that service!!

Jodygr

......i dont expect the doctor to write a letter for my son to "go on holiday"!! I only want a letter to say he is not contagious to fly, nothing more!!