100 Mile House Elementary School principal Donna Rodger is cautioning parents that there has been a reported case of chicken pox at the school.
Chicken pox (varicella) is a common illness that causes an itchy rash and red spots or blisters (pox) all over the body.
It usually takes two to three weeks for a person to get sick after exposure to the virus, so folks will have to watch for signs of the illness.
Symptoms may include fever, aches, tiredness, headache and loss of appetite, followed by a rash a few days later. Red spots appear first on the face and scalp, and then spread quickly to the arms and legs.
Chicken pox is contagious up to five days before and five days after the rash appears.
While it usually isn't a serious health problem in healthy children, a child with chicken pox needs to stay home, and often needs an adult to stay home and care for them.
Typically a mild illness in children, an infection can be more serious for pregnant women, newborn babies, teenagers, adults and people with weakened immune systems.
Those in higher risk groups who have not been vaccinated or have not had chicken pox should see a health-care provider immediately if they are exposed to, or get, chicken pox.
The chicken pox vaccine provides protection against the illness, but must be started as soon as possible.
After you have had chicken pox, you are not likely to get it again, although the virus can become active again later in life and cause a painful blistering rash called shingles.
For more information, visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca, or call 8-1-1 for non-emergency health information.