Purdue students, faculty and staff urged to be aware of chickenpox

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue University Student Health Service is asking students, faculty and staff to be aware of suspected chickenpox cases on campus. PUSH has been made aware of a small number of cases in the past five weeks.

Chickenpox (varicella) is a common viral infection which causes an itchy rash with small red blisters or scabs. Fever, fatigue and loss of appetite are also common when infected. It is highly contagious to those who have not been vaccinated or who have not had it previously and can spread via direct contact and respiratory secretions.

Hand washing, surface disinfection and avoidance of those infected are easy ways to avoid the spread of the virus. A chickenpox vaccine is also widely available. 

Writer: Tim Doty, 765-494-2080, doty2@purdue.edu

Source: Jamie Jackson, 765-494-1798, jacks629@purdue.edu 

Related websites

Purdue University homepage:  http://www.purdue.edu

Purdue University Student Health Service: https://www.purdue.edu/push/