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Healthy
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What Is Chickenpox?
Only a decade or so ago, with an appearance of chickenpox appears in a childcare setting, parents begin counting down the days as they watched for tell-tale spots, only to begin counting again as each new case appears. Fortunately, with the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine, the incidents of this once common infectious disease are dropping.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. Approximately 90 percent of chickenpox cases are in children 1-14 years of age.
Chickenpox usually begins with a small itchy rash followed by aches and fever. It is spread both directly and airborne through respiratory track secretions (such as from coughing or running noses) or fluid from the infected person's open sores.
In the early stages, chickenpox is so contagious that if a person is not immune to the disease (by either a vaccine or previously having the illness), they have up to a 90 percent chance of contracting the virus. That means that just one chickenpox case in the classroom could mean that 90 percent of the children who are not immune to the illness may become ill as well!
The disease is usually mild and not life threatening in healthy children but can cause problems for newborns and adults. In adults, chickenpox can occasionally lead to encephalitis or pneumonia. Newborns with undeveloped immune systems, or adults and children with impaired immune systems, such as those who are on chemotherapy, have AIDS, or take steroids, may experience severe reactions which can lead to death. Chickenpox during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects in the unborn child.
For children with chickenpox, aspirin or salicylate should never be given for pain or fever as the combination of the virus and the medication can lead to Reye's Syndrome, a potentially fatal condition affecting the brain and liver.
Chickenpox for most children is generally more uncomfortable than serious, however, infected children must be isolated from others until the pox have crusted over. This means that the child can not be in a childcare setting for approximately on week. Many parents with a chickenpox-infected child want to return the youngster to the childcare center as soon as possible, so having clear rules on chickenpox exclusion can prevent unnecessary conflict with parents.
In the past few years, the chickenpox immunization, or varicella vaccine, has been added to the list of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended vaccinations. It is recommended that all healthy children receive two doses of the varicella vaccine, the first one at approximately 12-15 months and the second at 4-6 years or before entering kindergarten. Anyone who has had chickenpox does not need to be vaccinated.
Internet Resources
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention,
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/varicella/default.htm
Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.com/health/chickenpox/DS00053
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