Introduction
This WebQuest is a resource for educating teachers about the issues surrounding Chicken Pox (Varicella).
What is it?
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral disease and usually gets better without treament. The main symptoms of chicken pox is a low-grade fever, intensely itchy skin rash and ulcers. Chicken pox is most common in children, though aldults can also get the virus. It is an extremely contagious infection for anyone who has not had chicken pox previously and this is why in schools, we need to be aware of what chicken pox is and how we can treat it.
What does it look like?
It is easy to distinguish chikcen pox because the person infected breaks out with many red spots on their skin; these red spots blister, burst, dry and then become scabby, just like in figure 1.
figure 1. Chicken pox. Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/chickenpox
What to do if a student has chicken pox?
If you notice a child in your school who is suffering from the preceding symptoms, it is necessary to receive assistance from the school nurse and notify the parent of the child on the matter.
In most cases of chicken pox there is no specific treatment however, bed rest, extra fluids to drink, lukewarm baths and creams to reduce itching, are helpful.
Be aware of which students have been immunised against chikcen pox and which students have been infected with chicken pox before (children who have already been infected with chicken pox are immune to chicken pox, however in rare cases, they can get shingles).
The child should be excluded from school until the spots are dry (about 5 days).
Who can help?
- A doctor
- A pharmacist
- The school nurse
- (000) in an emergency
- Local government immunisation service
- Maternal and Child Health Line (24 hours) Tel. 132 229
- Immunisation Program, Department of Health, Victorian Government Tel. 1300 882 008
- National Immunisation Information Line Tel. 1800 671 811
Task
As you know our school has been affected by a recent outbreak chicken pox cases. As a leadership team, your task is to create a school procedure that can be used for the recent chicken pox outbreak and when any other chicken pox outbreak occurs.
The procedure must include the following:
- A letter of notification and advice for all parents in the school or just the classroom affected
- Prevention strategies
- A list of contacts that can be used if neccessary
- Steps a teacher can take if a student in their class has chicken pox
Process
Staff can complete this task using:
- ICT
- Useful books from the library
- Various stakeholders for advice
- time allocated in the staff metting (12/04)
- the websites listed below for research
Better Health Channel: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/chic…
Victorian State Government: Health and Human Services: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/infectious-diseases/diseas…
Evaluation
All staff groups are to send their suggestions to the principle and a conclusion will draw from this. The task is expected to be finished by the whole staff meeting (14/4) which will combine all suggestions and inform staff of a solution.
All staff are to attend this meeting to ensure they are aware of the procedure for handling chicken pox in the school.
Conclusion
A staff meeting on the 21/4 will be held and staff are to comment on the findings of this new procedure. Staff will be expected to give feedback and an update of the situation within their class.
Credits
References:
Victorian State Government: Health and Human Services and Better Health Channel. (2016). Infection: Chicken Pox. Retrieved from:https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/chic…;
Victorian State Government: Health and Human Services. (2016). Disease Information and Advice: Chicken Pox and Shingles. Retrieved from: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/infectious-diseases/diseas…;