Varicella, AKA "Chicken Pox" is, as most of you know, a common childhood disease in most places. Children often contract it from other children when they are confined in somewhat "close" spaces such as schoolrooms in the months when windows are closed. The disease spreads through the respiratory route. Many children get the disease and show none of the usual "rash" while others break out visibly. Non-immune adults who contract the disease run the risk of it displaying as "varicella pneumonia" which, in adults, can be life-threatening.

Depending on how long the child was in the enclosed space, and if (big "if") the child actually had a case of full-blown varicella, there might be some concern for those who are not immune. Most adults are and they most certainly are if they've ever had a case as a child (and remember, you may have had the disease and not know it).

People with varicella may be contagious anywhere between two days prior to an actual rash breakout up until the 21st day after the rash appears.

Feel better now?