Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a viral infection that is caused by the varicella virus. While it is common and usually harmless, it may cause complications in infants as they have an impaired immune system.

If your child gets chickenpox, they may display these early symptoms within 10 – 21 days of being exposed to someone with chickenpox:

• Mild fevers
• Increased lethargy
• Itch
• Fluid-filled blister rashes

Keep your child at home as chickenpox is highly contagious. It can spread by direct contact, or through infected droplets from an infected person who coughs or sneezes. It can also spread by direct contact with contaminated objects or the fluid from an infected person’s blisters. The infectious period of chickenpox can begin as early as 2 days before the rash develops until one week later, when the blisters have dried out.

It is best to keep your child away from very young or elderly household members if they have not had chickenpox or been vaccinated before.

Inform your child’s school of their illness as there may be other children who have been exposed who may need to be treated or get vaccinated. Do not send your child back to school until there are no new blisters and the very last blister has dried out completely.

Ensure that your child has adequate rest and is kept well hydrated.

You can give medications to help relieve the fever or itch. Antihistamines or topical lotions like calamine can help soothe the itch.

Do not pop the blister or try to drain any fluid.

You should bring your child to a doctor if they display any of the following symptoms:

• Presence of pus or swollen, red areas around their rash
• Drowsiness or increased lethargy
• Refusal to drink or not passing adequate urine
• Hard or fast breathing

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Once your child has had chickenpox, they are unlikely to get it again. However, on rare occasions, your child may later develop shingles.

If your child has not been exposed to chickenpox or been vaccinated before, keep them away from children who have active chickenpox. They can also be vaccinated against the varicella virus from the age of 1 year.