This Letter Is to Inform You That an Individual in Our School Has Chickenpox

CHICKENPOX LETTER

Date: January 6, 2016

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This letter is to inform you that an individual in our school has chickenpox.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus. It is transmitted by person-to-person contact or through air by coughing or sneezing.

The most common symptoms of chickenpox are rash, fever, coughing, headache and loss of appetite. The rash usually develops on the scalp and torso and then spreads to the face, arms and legs. The rash first appears as many small, itchy, red bumps which turn into blisters, emerging in several successive “crops.” Chickenpox lasts about five to ten days. You are asked to keep your child out of the childcare/school for one week or until all blisters are dried and crusted over.

Most cases of chickenpox are treated with bed rest, fluids and control of fever. Do not give your child aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) for reducing fever due to the possibility of Reye’s syndrome or other complications. Contact your health care provider for more information about medicines to control your child’s fever and if further treatment is needed for serious cases of chickenpox.

A vaccine to prevent chickenpox is available. The vaccine is recommended for healthy persons over 12 months of age. The vaccine may also prevent illness or reduce the severity of chickenpox if given within three days of exposure to a person with chickenpox.

Spokane Regional Health District has determined that an outbreak of chickenpox is occurring if five cases are reported in a three week period. All students who are considered at risk for the disease would be excluded from school for up to 21 days during an outbreak. The 21 days would start over with each new case after the first five cases. We will notify you if this should occur. We currently have one case as of Jan. 6, 2016

If you have further questions concerning chickenpox, consult your health care provider or contact the Spokane Regional Health District’s Disease Prevention and Response Division at (509) 324-1442.

Sincerely,

Christi Malsam RN

School District Nurse Supervisor

11/2008