Tot was hospitalised for five days after getting the worst chicken pox doctors had ever seen
Little Jasper Allen's mum was told that she was 'worrying about nothing'
A LITTLE boy who was hospitalised for five days with the worst chickenpox doctors had EVER SEEN was allegedly turned away by a GP's receptionist who implied the tot’s mum was worrying about nothing.
Two-year-old Jasper Allen was covered in severe chickenpox sores that became severely infected.
Shockingly, mum Sarah Allen, 36, claims she was refused an appointment at her local GP surgery because one of the receptionists didn’t think the little boy’s condition was severe enough to warrant a visit.
But Jasper was rushed to hospital less than 48 hours later.
The mum-of-two now wants the government to make a vaccination against the illness free for all on the NHS.
Currently, the vaccine is only available to certain children on medical grounds.
Nursery manager Sarah, from St Neots, Cambridgeshire, said: "I was one of those parents who couldn't wait for my two to get chickenpox so then it was out of the way – I didn't think there was any harm in letting him get it.
"But to see him get it like that and see how it took over his body was just heart-breaking.
"It was definitely not 'just chickenpox' and I want people to realise this.
"Everyone's reactions in the hospital were just complete shock over how severe it was – the doctors all wanted to come and see this worst ever case of chickenpox.
"There was even talk about using the pictures for a medical journal. One of the paediatric nurses with 40 years' experience said she had never seen anything like it.
Sarah, who is also mum to daughter Poppy, five with 38-year-old postman husband Keith Allen, noticed a few spots on Jasper in July after he had first developed scarlet fever the week before.
However, the following morning he had "hundreds" of spots.
Worryingly, Sarah claims that when she called her local GP's surgery to book him an appointment she claims a receptionist told her "every mother thinks their child has bad chickenpox" and that this wouldn't be necessary.
But Jasper's temperature continued to rise, so she took him to the same GP surgery and he was then prescribed antibiotics and oral medication for an infection.
Several hours later his condition had not improved so Sarah visited A&E at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon where he was quickly admitted onto the children's ward and spent five days in hospital on an IV drip and antiviral medication, antibiotics and morphine.
Sarah said: "When I first called our local GP's surgery I spoke to the receptionist to make an appointment for Jasper but when I told her it was chickenpox she said to me 'every mother thinks their child has bad chickenpox'.
"I knew I wasn't being a neurotic mother – I have two children and have run a nursery and seen hundreds of kids with chickenpox before so I knew this wasn't normal.
"They should listen to parents more – we know our babies better than anybody in the world.
"When Jasper was admitted to hospital, it was scary but I was also relieved I was actually being taken seriously and they were doing something about it.
"We couldn't hold him for three days because he screamed every time we touched him. It broke my heart."
Jasper is currently undergoing heart scans to make sure there are no lasting effects.
Sarah is now calling on the government to make the chickenpox vaccination part of the NHS's routine childhood immunisation schedule so it is automatically available for all children.
She said: "We are one of the only countries who do not routinely vaccinate against chickenpox – Europe, the USA and Australia all now do.
"I don't want this to be a debate about vaccination – I don't care if you do not want to vaccinate your child, but sign the petition so everyone else has the choice."
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "Chickenpox is usually a mild illness in children with most recovering quickly.
"The vaccine is not routinely offered to children although the Government's expert vaccination advisors are reviewing this.
"The vaccine aims to protect those who are at risk from serious illness.
"That's why it is recommended for children with family members who are undergoing medical treatments such as chemotherapy which can affect immunity."
About the Chickenpox vaccination (From NHS Direct)
• The chickenpox vaccination is not part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme. It is only offered where there is a clinical need, such as the child is likely to come into contact with people who are particularly vulnerable to chickenpox i.e. those having chemotherapy.
• This is because health experts believe introducing a chickenpox vaccination for all children could increase the risk of unvaccinated adults catching chickenpox or shingles.
• A number of private travel clinics offer chickenpox vaccinations.
A spokesman for Cambridge and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: "The CCG is unable to comment upon individual patient cases.
"However in the event that a child contracts chickenpox, the NHS offers the following advice and information:
"Chickenpox is usually a mild illness from which most children recover on their own.
"Symptoms include a high temperature, aches and pains, and a rash of blisters. These usually pass within a week or two, and the blisters dry up and fade.
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"The best treatment is to use soothing creams and/or appropriate doses of paracetamol to ease any discomfort, while keeping your child hydrated by giving them lots to drink.
"It is highly advisable that parents and carers keep a watchful eye on children who have chickenpox, as complications, although rare, can develop - especially in children who are very young, are on other medications or who may have a weakened immune system.
Chickenpox symptoms (From NHS Direct)
The most commonly recognised chickenpox symptom is a spotty, blistering red rash that can cover the entire body.
The spots normally appear in clusters and tend to be:
• behind the ears
• on the face
• over the scalp
• on the chest and belly
• on the arms and legs
However, the spots can be anywhere on the body, even inside the ears and mouth, on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and inside the nappy area.
Although the rash starts as small, itchy red spots, these develop a blister on top and become intensely itchy after about 12-14 hours.
• feeling sick
• a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or over
• aching, painful muscles
• headache
• generally feeling unwell
• loss of appetite
"If you are ever concerned about your child's health then call NHS 111 who can give advice or refer to an appropriate NHS service, including A&E if necessary.
"The CCG is not responsible for the chickenpox vaccine; this comes under the remit of Public Health England."