Health Alert

From the Health Centre

There have been a number of chickenpox cases in our school community across all year levels recently.

Although Chickenpox is regarded as a ‘generally mild disease’, it is highly contagious and most prevalent amongst children under fifteen years of age.

Chickenpox usually begins with: 

• Fever. 

• Fatigue. 

• Loss of appetite. 

• Followed by a generalised rash a day or so later. 

• Rash starts as itchy red spots but rapidly progresses to blisters. 

A person is infectious from two days prior to the onset of the rash until the blisters have all crusted into scabs, usually about five days after they appear. All students should remain at home until all Chickenpox spots have crusted over to avoid further spread of the illness. 

Groups of people who are most at risk of serious problems if they catch Chickenpox are newborn babies, pregnant women, and those with a weakened immune system, therefore it is important, if your child has chicken pox, to keep them at home while they are contagious. 

See the following link for more information. 

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/chickenpox

Should you feel that you need to seek medical attention, please contact your doctor and let them know of your suspicions prior to your appointment. This will prevent further spreading. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the College on 9795 8100 or enquiry@nazareth.vic.edu.au