Eighteen cases of chickenpox have been confirmed among students at a school in Menoufia Governorate, sparking concern among parents and prompting health authorities to closely monitor the situation and enforce precautionary measures to limit the spread.

According to medical sources, chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection, mainly affecting children. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the herpes family, and can spread through airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing, or through direct contact with an infected person. Symptoms usually appear after an incubation period of 10 to 21 days.

Common symptoms include:

Mild fever one or two days before the rash appears.

Red, itchy rash that develops into small fluid-filled blisters.

Muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite, and general fatigue.

Cold-like symptoms such as coughing or a runny nose in some cases.

Doctors emphasize that chickenpox is usually mild in children but can be dangerous for infants, adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Infected children should remain at home until all blisters have dried and formed scabs to prevent further spread.

Treatment methods:
Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing complications, including:

Paracetamol for fever (avoid aspirin).

Calamine lotion to ease itching.

Cool baths with baking soda for relief.

Antiviral medication for severe cases.

Keeping the skin clean and trimming nails to avoid secondary bacterial infections.

Immunity and prevention:
Most people who contract chickenpox develop lifelong immunity. However, the virus can remain dormant in nerve tissues and reactivate later as shingles. The best preventive measure is the chickenpox vaccine, proven to be safe and effective—it prevents infection in most cases or significantly reduces its severity.

The Ministry of Health urged parents and schools to maintain hygiene, isolate infected students, and seek medical advice promptly if any similar symptoms appear among children.