Chickenpox is a common illness among kids, particularly those under age 12. An itchy rash of spots that look like blisters can appear all over the body and be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Symptoms usually go away without treatment, but because the infection is very contagious, an infected child should stay home and rest until the symptoms are gone. http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/skin/chicken_pox.html

The other day, while we were having classes, RD complained that he felt weak and had a headache. I allowed him to take a break and the headache seemed to pass. The next day, however, he developed a fever. I gave him paracetamol, and we resumed classes when the medicine took effect, and he said he already felt better. The fever continued throughout that day, into the night, and the next day.

That night, as we were out attending a meeting, our daughter sent me an SMS informing me that she had just given RD paracetamol and that he was growing “pimples.” I immediately suspected that he was growing lesions brought about by chicken pox. Sure enough, I checked him out when we arrived home and confirmed that it was, indeed, chicken pox.

It is almost 24 hours since his lesions started growing and no other pustules have grown. My mom, who was a nurse before she retired, told me that when children have had their vaccine shots, the chicken pox does not occur full force. Thankfully, this is what happened to RD. He only has a few lesions, and the itchiness is being managed by hydroxyzine diHCl.