In letters to parents of CHS students sent on March 2 and 5 respectively, Steven Dillon, Carmel Clay Schools Director of Student Services, confirmed that cases of pertussis (whooping cough) and varicella (chickenpox) have been identified at CHS. According to Dillon, the procedure for each illness is distinct.

“The first symptoms of pertussis are similar to the common cold,” he said. “Your child may also have a low fever. After a week or two, the cough will become worse. Your child may develop coughing fits, or spasms, followed by vomiting or trouble catching a breath.” Dillon advised parents to keep children with symptoms of whooping cough out of school and to call a doctor immediately.

Chickenpox, meanwhile, “causes a rash, itching, fever and tiredness,” Dillon said. “This disease can be mild or severe. People who develop severe cases of chickenpox may have pneumonia, encephalitis or systemic bacterial infections. Chickenpox virus can be spread from person to person through the air, or contact with fluid from the chicken pox blisters.” According to Dillon, parents can should contact a physician or school nurse with any questions about chickenpox.

For more information on whooping cough:  http://www.in.gov/isdh/files/2012QuickFact_Pertussis.pdf.

More information on chickenpox: http://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/index.html