How Do You Fake Chicken Pox?

How at risk am I for chicken pox?

• Two students in the classroom next to mine came down with chicken pox today. I've had little interaction with them, but my students interact with them at lunch, recess, etc.. I've never had chicken pox and I'm 23 years old. How likely is it that I could get chicken pox?

• Answer:

  If chickenpox is in your school, and you have never had it or been vaccinated against it, then you WILL be exposed at some point, but even then may not get it. At this point, you probably haven't been exposed if you have had little contact with those who have it. If any of your students have been in contact (and haven't been vaccinated) then they may get it, thus exposing you. Chickenpox is contagious starting 48 hours before the first spot appears. This is why so many people get exposed to it. In order to be exposed, you need to have direct contact with a contagious individual. Just being in a room where a contagiuos person has been isn't good enough. The chickenpox vaccine is recomended to all adults who have not had the disease. Because you work in a school, I believe you had better get the vaccine. It may be too late at this point because it takes up to 4 weeks for your body to build up immunities after recieving the vaccine. To help protect yourself from possible exposure, watch your students closely. Watch for kids that just seem to be less energetic than normal, ones that just don't seem to be themselves. The illness starts with an ill-feeling individual possibly with cold-like symptoms, a cough, fever and/or abdominal pain. Just using good handwashing will not be enough if a student in your class gets sick. Most children these days are getting vaccinated for chickenpox. You may check with the school records to see which students in your class have not had the vaccine, so you can especially watch them.