• Chickenpox is an infection caused by the Varicella-zoster virus and is most common in children.
• The chickenpox virus spreads very easily through the air or through direct contact with the fluid in a chickenpox blister.
• Should a pregnant woman contract chickenpox when she is close to the birth of her baby, it could lead to the baby being born with neonatal varicella which could result in some complications.
• If you become exposed and are pregnant and not immune it is important to inform your health care provider.

Signs and Symptoms

• Chickenpox may begin with a mild fever, followed in a day or two by a rash which may be very itchy. 
• The rash starts with red spots that soon turn into fluid-filled blisters. 
• In a few days, crusts form over the blisters.
• Chickenpox is infectious 1-3 days prior to the onset of the rash through the air.
• The fluid in the blisters is also a source of infection if there is direct contact with it. 

Preventing the spread

• Practice good hand washing.
• Cover nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing with a tissue or   your sleeve – not your hands.
• Do not share eating utensils.

After the chickenpox infection and Shingles

• The virus stays in the body for life, therefore you are immune against the chickenpox virus.
• Although most people do not get chickenpox twice, the virus residing in the body can cause “shingles” (herpes zoster), which is a reoccurrence of the chickenpox virus.
• Shingles occurs along a nerve pathway where the virus resides and results in fluid filled blisters in the area along this pathway.
• Shingles is not as contagious as chicken pox and is not spread through sneezing, coughing, or casual contact, but through direct contact with the rash in its blister phase. A person with sores is contagious for a week after the appearance of these lesions until the rash has developed crusts over the blisters.

Chickenpox vaccine

• The vaccine Varivax is available to prevent chickenpox.
• One dose is advised for children 12 months to 12 years of age.
• Those who are 13 years or older, receive two doses 4-8 weeks apart.
• Varivax should NOT be used in pregnancy however women who have not had chickenpox and are considering a future pregnancy may receive the vaccines.  Woman should not become pregnant for one month after receiving the second needle.
• There is a cost for this vaccine.  Discuss the fee with your physician or health unit.

For more information:

• Contact the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808 to speak to a Public Health Nurse