Sussex parents issued chickenpox warning (From The Argus)

Sussex parents issued chickenpox warning

9:10am Saturday 10th December 2011 in News By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter

Parents are being warned to be on their guard after cases of chickenpox emerged in the county in recent weeks.

The latest areas affected include Worthing and Shoreham, where children have fallen ill.

Parents at Longhill School in Falmer Road, Rottingdean, have also been alerted after a Year 7 student caught the virus.

Chickenpox is a common condition and mild in most cases but there can be some complications, particularly for adults.

NHS Sussex immunisation lead Nick Kendall said: “Parents should be assured that for the majority of children chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness that most children will catch at some point.

“Most healthy children will recover quickly simply by resting, much like for a cold or flu.

“The most common symptom is a red rash of itchy spots that can cover all of your child's body, but children can also experience mild flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature of 38C or over, aching painful muscles or have a headache.

“If your child has chickenpox they are at their most infectious from one to two days before the rash starts until all of the spots have crusted over.

“While your child is in this stage try to keep them away from public areas to avoid contact with other people who have not had chickenpox, especially other children and people who are at risk of serious problems, such as newborn babies, pregnant women and anyone with a weakened immune system.

“If your child is not getting better, or they start to feel pain in their chest or have difficulty breathing, please contact your GP straight away.”