How Does Chicken Pox Spread?
It is very contagious and spreads by: Being in a room together, coughing, and sneezing Sharing food, eating utensils, mouthed toys, and tissues Touching the nose, mouth, and the rash Once you have had chicken pox or have gotten the vaccine, you usually won’t catch it again. When is chicken pox contagious? From two days before until five days after the rash appears. After exposure, it usually takes 11 to 14 (up to 21) days to get sick. How do I know if my child has chicken pox? By how the rash looks. Doctors usually advise not to bring the child to their offices because the illness could spread to others. What should I do if my child has chicken pox? Treatment: Follow your doctor’s recommendations: Baking soda/oatmeal baths, calamine lotion and antihistamines for itchiness. Giving acetaminophen for fever. Never give aspirin-it can cause a fatal condition called Reye ‘s Syndrome. If your child or anyone at home has immune problems or is pregnant and has never had chicken pox, call your d
• Airborne droplets (e.g. coughing and sneezing). • Direct contact with the blisters. The disease is most contagious from a day or two before the blisters appear until the blisters are dry. Due to close proximity, be prepared for the child to spread the disease to his siblings. Once the child has no more fever and scabs have formed, there is little risk of giving someone else the disease. However, it can be difficult to determine exactly when your child is most contagious because after he has been exposed to the virus, he can take up to 21 days to begin showing symptoms. For the best advice on when your child will be ready for school again, please consult your doctor. Do note that a child who hasn’t had chicken pox can catch it from someone who is having shingles (but the child will not catch shingles). How is chicken pox treated? The following are some of the steps your doctor might take to treat your child: • Giving him fever medicine and if necessary, flu medication. • Prescribing a
