Columnist Bob Shemeligian: Don’t be a chicken - get the shot

Bob Shemeligian

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

A POX upon you.

That's not me talking.

It's the chickenpox virus.

At the end of September, there were 1,986 cases of the chickenpox reported in Clark County -- up from 367 the year before.

"This does not constitute an epidemic!" implored June Constantino, epidemiology program manager for the Clark County Health District.

Constantino explained that the growth of the area and the fact that more residents are reporting cases to the district help explain why the number has more than quadrupled in just a year.

Still, such a jump in cases in just one year means that chickenpox -- or varicella, as the contagious viral disease is also called -- is truly the real scare of this Halloween season.

Unlike the much deadlier smallpox virus, which has been eradicated by medical science and bears no relation to chickenpox, the varicella virus may be here to stay in Southern Nevada.

And a generation from now, when today's kids who have endured chickenpox outbreaks grow up, we'll hear more stories such as these:

"I had the chickenpox when I was 5 years old, growing up in Virginia," said Michele Masse of Thomas Puckett Advertising. "I had to miss my best friend's birthday party. Luckily, they brought me over a piece of cake."

And "piece of cake" is hardly the way to explain the pain endured by local resident Jeri Anderson when she contracted the virus as an adult years ago in New Haven, Conn.

"I had a fever of 105, and it went on six days running," Anderson said.

Constantino agreed that adults who contract the disease generally suffer much more than children. And even those who had the disease as children run the risk of developing shingles later in life.

"After a person has chickenpox, the (dormant) virus is stored in the spinal area," Constantino explained.

But today, finally, there's something we can do to fight the chickenpox -- other than staying home and scratching.

A vaccine called Varivax has been judged effective by the Food and Drug Administration.

"We haven't started using it yet," Constantino said. "But it is available from private physicians."

If you have a small child, you might think about asking your doctor about it.

The virus, which afflicts about 4 million people each year, is considered a nuisance disease because it keeps feverish and bump-covered children out of school for a week or so.

But chickenpox can be deadly. Each year, it kills up to 90 adults and children with immunological problems.

And so, for those who have never had the joy of picking at a chickenpox scab:

"My belief is that if you can get vaccinated and the vaccine doesn't cause problems, then why not?" asked Constantino.

And for those who prefer to forgo the vaccine, just remember: Don't scratch.