Chicken Pox

Chickenpox is one of the most common childhood viral diseases. It can occur anytime during the year but seems to be more prevalent in the school during the winter months. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have a family member who’s health could be jeopardized by being exposed to chickenpox. This would include infants, pregnant women, children with chronic diseases, children taking steroids and any person whose immune system is impaired, such as those undergoing cancer treatment. The teacher could make arrangements to contact you if there is a case of chickenpox in the classroom. Remember that kids can be exposed anywhere they go. Infected individuals are contagious 2-3 days before they even know they have chickenpox. This makes it very difficult to track and control this disease. Students who develop Chickenpox need to stay home from the time you first notice symptoms until all of the spots are scabbed over (approx. one week). Talk to your pediatrician about the chickenpox vaccine if your child has not had the disease.

If you are interested in more information or have concerns about your child, please contact the school nurse at 248-3239.