The Ministry of Health Agriculture and Human Services has noted an increase in the number of chickenpox/varicella cases being reported over the past several weeks. The number of cases have declined when a comparison was made for the past two weeks; but despite education and advice by health care providers to persons and parents of children diagnosed with the illness, there are still reports from the principals and teachers of some parents’ reluctance to keep their child/children away from school while they are ill.
Chickenpox/varicella is an acute illness characterized by fever and an itchy blister-like rash that can spread over the whole body. Chickenpox/varicella generally begins with this blister like-rash which lasts for about 3 to 4 days, after this time the blisters will rupture/burst forming a crust and leaving a scab.
Chickenpox/varicella can spread from person to person by direct contact, droplet or airborne spread of the fluid from the lesions/blisters, secretions from the respiratory tract (lungs) of the infected person and from items freshly soiled by persons who have chickenpox. The period when the blister ruptures is the time when the chickenpox is most likely to spread. An individual can be ill with chickenpox for up to 21 days, however, in most cases the illness will last up to 16 days.
The individual who is ill with chickenpox must avoid close contact with others in the home until the blisters are dry and crusted. Continuous disinfection of surfaces, linen and clothing must be done to prevent spread within the household. It is critical that all individuals ill with chickenpox must remain home for a period of 14 days to prevent spread. Teachers and parents of school-aged children especially are asked to remain vigilant in identifying and removing children from the school population who are coming to school with a blister-like rash on the skin.
It is critical that persons who have symptoms of chickenpox see their primary care physician for treatment and acquire sick leave for a period of 14 days. After the 14 day sick leave period, the individual must return to the physician or the public health nurse at one of the primary care clinics to obtain a fit for work or school certificate allowing them re-entry back into school or work. Anyone returning earlier than this time or without this certificate should not be allowed in school so as to prevent spread to other children.
In healthy children, chicken pox is generally mild however adults are at risk for more severe disease and have a higher incidence of complications. Additionally, special precautions should be taken for anyone (of any age) with impaired immunity, accompanying chronic diseases, elderly, infants and pregnant patients.
In most cases, chickenpox gets better without the need for specific treatment. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications and may include: bed rest, extra fluids to drink – to avoid dehydration, paracetamol to bring down the fever (aspirin should be avoided because of a possible increased risk of complications), lukewarm baths with baking soda or oatmeal added to the water and cream, such as calamine lotion, to reduce the itching. If the fever persists, it is advised to re-visit the doctor.
There is a varicella vaccine available on island at the private facilities. This vaccine is not offered by the government operated primary care facility because the efficacy i.e. its ability to effectively prevent chicken pox is only 60-90%. However, persons who are interested in acquiring the vaccine may do so.
For further information on chicken pox please contact any of the primary health care facilities.
