IS IT SAFE TO MIND OUR GRANDCHILD?

Q

We are due to look after my two-year-old granddaughter in a fortnight so that my daughter and her husband can go away for their wedding anniversary. My daughter rang me today to say my granddaughter has been sent home from nursery with impetigo. My husband is currently having treatment for prostate cancer. Is it OK for us to have her to stay?

A

Impetigo is highly infectious for 48 hours after starting treatment or until the last blister has scabbed over. It usually clears completely within seven to 10 days, so hopefully your granddaughter will be fine in two weeks’ time.

If your husband is on treatment that affects his immune system and your granddaughter still has lesions, I’m afraid it would be better if she didn’t visit.