Natural health with Megan Sheppard

Three children have been sent home with chickenpox at my daughter’s childcare, so I am keeping her home to be on the safe side. What symptoms should I watch for?

Chickenpox is caused by the herpes virus, Varicella-zoster. As you are already aware, it is highly contagious. The symptoms you need to watch for can range from a spiked temperature, headache, lethargy, muscle pain, loss of appetite, and of course the dreaded spots. The rash appears initially as being flat and pinkish-red in colour, and then forms clusters of tiny pimple-like blisters. Typically the rash begins on the chest and back then spreads to the limbs, and can even appear on the face, head, neck, and genitals.

A child infected with chickenpox is considered to be contagious from up to two days before the appearance of the first symptoms until every single blister is dry and covered with a crusty scab.