The Information Book Edition 3 - Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service

Chickenpox, Measles and MumpsThese are common childhood illnesses that your child can catch again becausechemotherapy drugs reduce your child’s immunity and ability to fight off infectionand will do so for at least six months after the completion of chemotherapy. Thebest protection is not being exposed to these diseases. This means asking theparents of children who play with your child to tell you if their child currently haschickenpox or measles. This includes friends at school and kindergarten. A letterto the school is available, if needed.Signs of Chickenpox• Slight fever, headache, decreased appetite• Pink spots of different sizes – very itchy• Spots first appear on the body, then on the face• Spots change to blisters. Blisters burst and form scabs.Chickenpox is spread by direct contact with someone who has it – playing,kissing, sharing cups, towels, bedding. It is contagious (catchable) from one daybefore the pink spots appear until six days after the last blisters become scabs.If your child has contact with chickenpox, or you think your child might havechickenpox, phone the ward or your nurse coordinator immediately.ZIG – a temporary immunisation – can sometimes be given if your child has hadcontact, but not if your child has chickenpox. It is only effective if given within 72hours of contact with chicken pox. It does not prevent getting the chicken pox in100% of cases.Signs of Measles• Sneezing, watery red eyes, similar to signs of a head cold• Hoarse voice or harsh irritating cough• Hot skin• Complaint of a strange feeling in the tongue with a strawberry like appearance• Red blotchy rash appears four days after flu-like symptoms.Measles spreads like chickenpox (see above). It is contagious (catchable) fromone day before the first signs until four days after the rash appears. If your childhas contact with someone with measles, ring the ward or your nurse coordinatorimmediately.Sec.4.4 Caring for your child and familyUpdated July 2012