Kaleidoscope Preschool and Childcare Center in Eastsound has had seven cases of possible chickenpox since the first outbreak on Dec. 14. One teacher is also infected.

Shortly after the first incident, 11 children were immunized at the center. Two of those kids, who were thought to have contracted chickenpox, were later deemed to have had a negative reaction to the immunization. Doctors cleared them to return to school.

According to Kaleidoscope director Amber Paulsen, all un-immunized kids have to stay out of the pre-school for 21 days after each new case.

“This isn’t about whether or not you believe in immunization,” Paulsen said. “It’s about how much time you can miss from work (by not having childcare).”

Chickenpox is a common illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus and results in a blister-like rash, fatigue and fever. It typically lasts five to 10 days. It is most common in children, but most people will get chickenpox at some point in their lives if they have not had the vaccine.

The disease can spread easily. You can get it from an infected person who sneezes, coughs or shares food or drinks. You can also get it if you touch the fluid from a chickenpox blister.

San Juan County Health and Community Services reports that those with the virus are contagious one to two days before a rash is visible and until all of the blisters scab over. If a person is exposed to chickenpox, it takes 10 to 21 days to develop a rash.

Paulsen’s son Jaxon began showing spots on Dec. 28. Ten days prior, he had received the immunization shot.

“His case would have been a lot worse if he didn’t have that shot,” Paulsen said. “He probably has 200 pox on him.”

County health nurse Joanne Runyan says the best defense is a varicella immunization. The two-dose vaccination is administered at 12-15 months of age and then again at four to six years old. Adults and kids over 13 get two dose that are four to eight weeks apart.

“This live vaccine is safe and provides long-lasting immunity,” Runyan said. “The most common side effects are soreness at the immunization site and a slight fever. One out of 25 people may also get a mild chickenpox-like rash.”

To reach Paulsen at Kaleidoscope, call 376-2484. For more information about chickenpox, call the San Juan County Health Department at 378-4474 or visit the CDC website here.