Letter to Parents Regarding possible Chicken Pox exposure

Letter to Parents Regarding possible Chicken Pox exposure

Dear Parents:

A few cases of a contagious virus have been reported in your child’s class.

• Chicken pox is highly contagious.

• Incubation period: symptoms usually appear 10 to 21 days after exposure.

Common Signs and Symptoms

• Rash that first appears on the trunk (stomach and back) and spreads to the face, arms, and legs. The rash appears to be small water blisters. Your child may have a fever or stomach-ache for the few days before the rash appears. If chicken pox, this rash will be itchy.

• In a day or two, the rash will form crusts that will remain for a few days. As the blisters spread, some will be healing as new ones appear. Your child needs to remain home until all the blisters are crusted over (they are contagious until that time), and no new blisters or pox have appeared in 24 hours.

• Many children have received the chicken pox vaccine; however, children who have been vaccinated may develop a milder case with only a few lesions and may not feel ill at all.

• There is no treatment for chicken pox. Home treatment includes rest, fluids & Tylenol to reduce fever and itching.

• Please notify the Community Health Nurse if your child has chicken pox, or if you would like to know the vaccine status of your child.

• Varicella vaccinations are given at 1year of age and again at 4 years of age.

Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Chelan McKenzie Community Health Nurse 250-542-5094

Okanagan Indian Band

12420 Westside Road

Vernon, BC V1H 2A4

250-542-4328