Campus Chicken Pox Warning

chicken PoxThe following e-mail was sent out campus wide as a health warning.  In the wake of a Chicken Pox outbreak in December affecting younger children and an increased number of cases in Jackson county The Sisikiyou is printing it in its entirety as a service to our readers.

Dear Campus Community,
We would like to inform you that last week (May 12-13), there was a student on campus who was ill with chicken pox. We do not believe that there was much opportunity for exposure; however, notification to students regarding a potential exposure to Chicken Pox is standard at SOU, so that students who may be at risk can take necessary precautions.
Chicken Pox is a highly contagious illness that is caused by a virus. It is spread by cough or by contact with something that has been contaminated.  It causes red, itchy bumps all over the body, and can cause respiratory and other problems as well. It is often more severe in adults than it is in children. It is especially dangerous for people with low immunity due to other illness or in pregnant women. Once a person has had Chicken Pox or the Chicken Pox vaccine, they are usually immune to getting the disease. The incubation period from exposure to onset of illness is 10-21 days.
If you have questions or have concerns about a possible exposure, please don’t hesitate to call the Student Health and Wellness Center at 541-552-6137 or consult your family health provider. You can also access more information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/index.html.
The Student Health and Wellness currently has free Chicken Pox vaccine for students. Call for an appointment.
In health,
Dr. Laura Robin
Medical Director