Communicable Diseases

Chickenpox is a very common childhood disease. It is caused by a virus and can spread from child to child. Once a child has had chickenpox, he or she usually will not get it again.

Most children have had a shot to prevent them from getting this disease. Sometimes children who have had the shot still get chickenpox, however it is generally very mild and the rash might be the only symptom. Chickenpox usually begins with a fever, headache, crankiness, and loss of appetite. A day or two later a red rash with blisters appears.

In most cases, chickenpox is not serious and does not need to be treated. Please contact your healthcare provider if you are concerned about any symptoms your child is experiencing.

Do not send your child to school if he or she gets a rash.

To read the meningitis information sheet in English please click here.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is an infection that is resistant to some antibiotics. For information click here.

Some sore throats are caused by streptococcus and will need antibiotic treatment. The only way to be sure if the sore throat is caused by strep is to have a throat culture done. This is a simple test that can be done in a few minutes in your physician's office.
If your child has or develops one or more of the symptoms listed below with the sore throat it may be a strep throat:

If any of these symptoms are present call your child's physician for advice. Early and adequate treatment can help prevent spread of the illness or serious complications like rheumatic fever, kidney damage, heart disease or arthritis.
Once appropriate therapy is started your child should start feeling better in a day or two and will not be considered contagious after two days of antibiotics. Your child's rapid and complete recovery can be helped by following these guidelines:

For additional information on Strep Throat click here - KidsHealth.org