While NSW Health has revealed there is no evidence of an ‘outbreak’ of chicken pox in the state, Kidspot has had word of a few cases in recent weeks - in various primary schools and daycare centres.
So if you child is affected, here’s what you need to know.
What causes chicken pox?
Chicken pox is most common in kids from two to 10 years old. For most children, chicken pox is a mild illness, but there’s no way to know which child will have a mild form of the illness and which will have a severe case.
Chicken pox is caused by the varicella virus or varicella zoster virus. It is highly contagious and is spread easily through coughing and sneezing in the early stages and through contact with the fluid from the broken blisters of the rash in the later stages of the illness.
Is chicken pox serious?
Chicken pox is not serious for most children. However, some kids who get chicken pox can develop pneumonia, encephalitis, or a bacterial infection of the skin.
Adults who have had chicken pox as a child can experience a painful reactivation of the virus called shingles. Rarely, complications of a chicken pox infection can be fatal.
Adults who have had chicken pox as children can experience a painful reactivation of the virus called shingles. Image: iStock
Can I prevent chicken pox?
It’s sometimes hard to know when your child has been exposed to chickenpox because other children are contagious before the rash develops. Chickenpox can be prevented through a childhood vaccination given when your child is about 18 months.
“One dose of chickenpox vaccine is provided for free as part of routine vaccination under the National Immunisation Program. Parents who wish to minimise the risk of break-through chickenpox can purchase a second dose of vaccine via their GP.”
Anyone who does not have immunity to the virus due to prior exposure should be vaccinated. Avoid other children who have chickenpox if your child has not been vaccinated.
How do I know if my child has chicken pox?
It can take up to three weeks after exposure for your child to show symptoms of chicken pox. Initial symptoms include a fever, runny nose, and a general feeling of being unwell.
Three to four days after the first symptoms appear, your child will start to develop a rash. The rash usually starts on the torso and may spread across his entire body. While some kids get just a few spots, others are covered from head to toe, including particularly tender places like the bottom, eyes, scalp and mouth.
Three to four days after the first symptoms appear, your child will start to develop a rash. Image: iStock
How do I treat chicken pox?
Children react in a variety of ways to chickenpox. Some kids seem unaffected by the illness, but others are completely miserable until the itchy rash goes away. There’s not much you can do but keep your child as comfortable as possible until the illness has run its course.
Try putting Calamine lotion on the spots to ease itching, or give your child oatmeal or baking soda baths. Use paracetamol for fever. Keep your child from scratching to avoid scarring. You can put mittens on very young children to avoid scratching.
Your child will be contagious for about two days before spots appear and about a week after they appear as long as they are scabbed over. So, keep him away from other kids or anyone who has not had chickenpox or been vaccinated during that time.
Should I call the doctor?
Call your child’s doctor right away if he has a very high fever, trouble breathing, is vomiting a lot, or appears lethargic.
What you need to know about chicken pox
- Chicken pox is a viral illness characterized by a red, itchy rash.
- Most cases of chicken pox clear up completely without special treatment.
- Because chicken pox is highly contagious, keep your child away from others for three to four days after all his spots have scabbed over.
- A chicken pox vaccine is available for children at 18 months, or the first year of high school (if not previously vaccinated).
