Chickenpox can be serious .. immunisation menu

• Varicella (chickenpox) is a common, highly infectious disease

• The virus can remain dormant and then in later life may reactivate producing shingles

•  Varicella in children has an acute phase of 4-5 days with fever and a generalised rash. Adults often have a more serious illness.

• Can often be a serious disease & occasionally fatal: Between 1993 & 1998 in Australia, > 3000 hospitalisations of children under 4 yrs (>7500 of all ages), 8 deaths of children under 4 yrs, (36 deaths all ages, '93-'98).

• Effective vaccines are currently available ....... 

See your GP for further information

References:
DHAC Communicable Diseases Intelligence, Supplement June 2000: Vaccine Preventable diseases & vaccination coverage in Aust. 1993-1998, Table 14, page 60.

NHMRC Australian Immunisation Handbook, 7th Edition, March 2000, Section 3.28, pages 231-238   - http://immunise.health.gov.au