Murwillumbah District Hospital emergency department has seen an increase in presentations related to chickenpox among school-aged children.
‘The infection spreads through coughing, sneezing or direct contact with fluid from the blisters,’ explained Dr Valerie Delpech, Regional Director, North Coast Population and Public Health.
‘Symptoms usually begin with a slight fever, runny nose, and feeling unwell, followed by an itchy rash that progresses from red spots to blisters and then scabs over several days. People are infectious from one or two days before the rash appears and remain so for up to five days after when the blisters have formed scabs.’
Chickenpox vaccination in Australia is provided at 18 months, as part of the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) vaccine.
‘Non-immune adolescents and adults should also receive two doses, especially if they are healthcare workers, planning pregnancy, or are in contact with immunosuppressed Individuals,’ said Dr Delpech.
Keep children with symptoms at home until all blisters have dried, and at least five days after the rash first appears. If an illness is not serious call 24-hour Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
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