for the fear of spreading infection. This compels one of the adult household members, usually a parent to abstain from work and be at home to take care of the sick child. This may mean missing important appointments, rescheduling assignments or even loss of wages.

As stated earlier, chickenpox presents with fever, other constitutional symptoms and rash. In most children, it has a self-limited course. Paracetamol can be given to control fever. Use of aspirin should be avoided, as it is feared to give rise to certain complications. Itching can be controlled by application of calamine lotion or oral antihistaminic drugs after consulting your doctor. The fingernails should bathed daily (contrary to general belief) so as to decrease the possibility of secondary infection.

Anti-viral drugs effective against vericella are known but are usually not required for otherwise healthy children and for uncomplicated cases of chickenpox. They may, however, be required when complications such as varicella pneumonia occur or when an immunocompromised child suffers from chickenpox.

A vaccine containing a live attenuated strain of varicella is available. This strain is capable of stimulating the body's immune system to produce immunity against varicella virus without causing the disease. The vaccine is administered subcutaneously and is effective in providing protection for over 90% of vaccinees. Children below the age of 12 years require only one dose while older children; adolescents and adults require two doses at an interval of 6-10 weeks. The vaccine is usually well tolerated and side effects are generally mild and transient. These include local pain, mild rash and fever. Thus chickenpox is now preventable through vaccination. Please consult your doctor.