Chickenpox

Chickenpox (varicella) is an acute viral illness of sudden onset characterized by:

fever
fatigue, and/or
rash of the skin.

The skin changes begin as small dew-drop-like blisters which in 3 or 4 days leave a scab. These lesions tend to be more abundant on the trunk than on exposed parts of the body and may appear on areas such as the mucous membranes of the mouth and the scalp. Transmission of this highly contagious disease is spread via person-to-person; indirectly through contaminated articles; and through the air. Respiratory tract secretions and fluid from the visicles (blisters) both carry the virus. A person is typically contagious from 1-2 days before the rash appears to when all pox have scabbed. The period from exposure until symptoms appears is usually 14-16 days, but can vary between 10 to 21 days. Children should remain out of school until after all the lesions have crusted and there are no "weeping" blisters (about 5 to 7 days from onset of rash).

For more information regarding Chickenpox, you may want to visit the Public Health - Seattle & King County web site by clicking here.

Note: Children with Chickenpox should not take aspirin, since there appears to be a statistical association with Reye's Syndrome and aspirin.

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