Before the advent of a chickenpox vaccine ten years ago, chickenpox used to be a sort of rite of passage for almost all children. Even after widespread childhood vaccinations, chickenpox still exists in the community, although on a much smaller scale. With effective community immunization programs, chickenpox is fast becoming a rarity. This reduction in cases makes many new parents unfamiliar with this once-ubiquitous disease.

Most Contagious

The chickenpox virus is one of the most contagious agents known to scientists. Simply breathing near an affected person can make a susceptible individual sick. Direct physical contact is not required for transmission.

If you suspect that your child has chickenpox, contact your doctor for an appointment. If your doctor confirms the diagnosis of chickenpox, you'll have to isolate your child from other children to prevent an outbreak. Make prior arrangements with the doctor's office so your child does not spend half an hour in a waiting room full of babies. Most medical offices can accommodate patients with extremely contagious conditions. You may have to enter the office through a side or back door and be examined in a separate room.

If your child has been exposed to chickenpox, it's not too late to act. Studies have shown that a vaccination given three to five days after the exposure can still be effective in reducing the severity of chickenpox. Call your doctor immediately if you believe your child has been exposed.

Bug Bites or Chickenpox

The chickenpox rash looks like small pimples and blisters on the body. It can occur anywhere from head to toe, sparing no area. It can be difficult to tell the difference between extensive insect bites on the body and a case of chickenpox. This is especially true since the advent of the chickenpox vaccine because a severe and extensive chickenpox rash is now less common. Children who contract chickenpox after they have been vaccinated sometimes just develop a few spots on their bodies.

Pediatricians try to distinguish between a mild chickenpox and bug bites by examining the location of the rash. If the rash only occurs on the exposed regions of the body, and it's known that the child has just returned from a week of camping next to a river, insect bites are the more likely culprit. On the other hand, if spots occur even on areas of the skin that are well protected, chickenpox is the more likely cause.

Taking Care of Your Child

If your child comes down with chickenpox, you can soothe her skin with oatmeal baths and lotions. To relieve the itching, you can use oral antihistamines such as Benadryl. Trim her nails short so that she doesn't cause too much damage to her skin when she scratches; scratched chickenpox blisters almost invariably scar.

One thing you should never do is give your child aspirin. If she has a fever, you can reduce her temperature with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Administering aspirin to your child during chickenpox is associated with a lethal condition called Reye's syndrome. This condition causes swelling in the brain, and liver failure.

As a general rule of thumb, avoid using aspirin in anyone younger than the age of eighteen. Some children with heart problems and other rare conditions are required to take aspirin. Your pediatrician will advise you what to do if your child belongs to this small population.