Chicken Pox
Posted June 19, 2018 at 5:42 am by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County Health & Community Services Issues Varicella Health Alert
Three cases of Varicella, or “chicken pox,” have been confirmed in the Orcas Island community. Two of the cases were in children attending schools on Orcas Island. San Juan County Health & Community Services has alerted medical providers, and is working closely with the Orcas School District, preschools and families to investigate the varicella cases. None of the cases have been hospitalized.
Varicella is a highly contagious infection, and symptoms include fever, fatigue and a rash that typically progresses from the head to other parts of the body. Those most vulnerable to complications of varicella are: persons older than 15 years of age who have not been vaccinated or had the infection, newborns and infants younger than one year, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. Complications may include severe symptoms, prolonged illness, hospitalization and death. During pregnancy, varicella pneumonia can be particularly severe and maternal infection can lead to congenital abnormalities.
The best way to protect against varicella is to receive a vaccine according to current vaccination guidelines. If you or your child has symptoms of varicella, please stay home and away from other people and public settings until you have been evaluated by your health care provider. Please call your health care provider before going to their office, as they may want to see you outside of a setting where others can be exposed.
Now is a good time for individuals and family members to review vaccination records and ensure immunizations are up to date. If vaccinations are not up to date, or you have questions about vaccinations or varicella, please contact your health care provider, or San Juan County Health & Community Services at 360-378-4474.
Additional information and resources on varicella may be found at San Juan County Health & Community Services.
You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.
Categories: Health & Wellness
No comments yet. Be the first!
By submitting a comment you grant the San Juan Update a perpetual license to reproduce your words and name/web site in attribution. Inappropriate, irrelevant and contentious comments may not be published at an admin's discretion. Your email is used for verification purposes only, it will never be shared.