There’s something families should be checking off their back-to-school list, vaccines. Health professionals are reminding parents that staying up to date on childhood immunizations especially chickenpox, is important as vaccination rates decline.
What Causes it?
Chickenpox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, may seem like a thing of the past, but it’s still here and highly contagious. It spreads among people who haven’t had it before or aren’t vaccinated.
How to Prevent it?
The chickenpox vaccine is safe, effective, and prevents most of the complications that can come with the illness.
What are the Symptoms?
The first signs of chickenpox can appear 10 to 21 days after exposure. Before the itchy rash shows up, kids might have a fever, feel tired, lose their appetite, or complain of a headache. Then comes the rash, which goes through stages: red bumps, fluid-filled blisters, and eventually scabs. Because new spots appear over several days, a child may have all three stages on their skin at once.
While chickenpox is usually mild in healthy children, it can sometimes cause more serious symptoms especially if the rash spreads to the eyes, throat, or sensitive internal tissues.
A healthcare provider should be contacted if the rash spreads to the eyes, becomes painful or warm, or is accompanied by severe symptoms like confusion, trouble breathing, or high fever. It’s also important to notify your provider if anyone at home is pregnant or has a weakened immune system.
Since fever is one of the symptoms, it is important to take regular temperature checks with thermometers. For example, Exergen’s TempoTherm or TAT-2000C Temporal Artery Thermometer to ensure that you get a clear picture of any changes in your body temperature. This thermometer is accurate, easy to use, and it just requires a simple swipe across the forehead by gently touching it to get quick and accurate reading with minimal hassle.
To protect others, always call ahead before visiting a clinic if you suspect chickenpox. It is a simple step that helps stop the virus from spreading further and keeps schools and communities healthier as the year begins.
Sources,
EXERGEN P/N 850529