possible chickenpox in our school

[august20]

Hello,

I am not sure what I'm looking for but...  We are non-vaxers, my dd is 6, goes to public school in PA and we have religious exemption.  There is a "possible" case of chicken pox in our school.  The nurse doesn't know if the case is real or not and they have not asked me to keep my dd home.  I am worried that this is too easy...will the nurse vax her without my consent?  What else could the "possible" case be? Scabies?  Whatever it is might just be worse than pox.

Anyone else ever NOT been excluded?  I am not complaining since we already missed about 12 days this year but I am just really surprised that the school isn't freaking out. 

Thanks

[Marnica]

The way the law is written Exclusions can only happen when the health department comes in and declares an "outbreak" of something. This would not happen for 1 or even a few cases of something. 

My son's preschool just had 2 cases of CP - my son was not excluded because 2 cases is not an outbreak worthy of a health department visit!

As for what it "might" me at your son's school - who knows? maybe it is CP - I wouldn't worry about it one way or the other!

[peilover010202]

We're actually battling CP right now.  I have 2 kiddos with it currently, and another recovering from it.  So, here is what I know (I'm in IN, btw.)  Our oldest developed symptoms first, and the school nurse at first felt like she should exclude my other son.  I talked with our dr, and he disagreed with her.  Ultimately, it was the decision of the Health Department though.  And, since it was only 1 isolated case, the Health Dept didn't feel it was necessary to exclude.  The school nurse did say that in our state 5 cases in considered an "outbreak" and he would be required to stay home if more cases developed. 

In your situation, I honestly wouldn't worry about whether or not this "possible" case at your child's school in CP or not.  It won't change the outcome, yk?  Either your child was exposed (and will likely get it) or your child wasn't exposed and won't get it.

Either way, try not to fear it.  So many people freak when they hear "chicken pox", but the truth is there are many, many of us who recovered just fine with basic comfort measures.