Doctors who aren’t schooled in the particulars of aviation medicine don’t always look at the big picture. Often their patient, despite being unwell, is at no risk from an aircraft journey so the doctor will say it’s ok to fly. They forget about the effects they may have on those confined in the metal tube with them. If Flyhardmo’s doctor’s advice is as he described it above then this is disappointing, particularly as he even warned him to avoid “other kids’ parents”, so presumably he is aware that there is a real risk of infecting others in the aircraft.
Most countries have regulations that forbid airlines from carrying anyone with an infectious disease. DXWombat’s comments are valid. Pregnant women particularly should avoid contact with chicken pox as research has shown that one in five exposed to the disease show significant morbidity afterwards, including pneumonia, premature labour and, most significantly, serious effects on the foetus (which I won’t list here but they come under the heading of congenital varicella syndrome – all pretty unpleasant). Bear in mind a significant number of the cabin crew are women of potentially child-bearing age who may have become pregnant, deliberately or otherwise, but will not be aware of it perhaps for some weeks.
In response to Flyin’ Dutch’s comments it should be pointed out that there is a significant difference to being exposed to any infectious disease on an aircraft compared with the places he referred to on the ground. Whilst the risk of infection on an aircraft has not been proven to be any greater than a crowded place on the ground, you must remember that on an aircraft you do not have the choice of moving away to reduce your risk. You can get off a bus, walk out of a building or cross the road at the sight of a spotty child. You can’t on an aircraft, hence the airlines and regulatory authorities impose higher safety standards for the benefit of all occupants.
I hope this puts a more “realistic perspective” on the subject.