Several hospitals and clinics in the Eastern Province have reported a large number of chicken pox cases, apparently linked to the continuing high humidity and heat. This viral disease spreads through the air and the weather is contributing to increased infection rates. Dr. Benedict, a general practitioner of Bader Al-Rabie dispensary, said many patients have been coming to see him over the past few days with chicken pox. He said it is an airborne virus and the current climate has aided its spread. The doctor advised people to isolate infected patients to avoid close contact with others. There are vaccinations available as a precautionary measure, he said. Tablets are also available to reduce itching. For such patients there are no food restrictions, the patient can eat and drink anything. Various doctors in the Eastern Province have advised people not to take chicken pox lightly. The virus spreads through infected air droplets from the nose or mouth while coughing or sneezing. Touching the fluid of a chicken pox blister can also transmit the disease. Doctors say the virus is contagious for up to seven days while a person is infected. Symptoms do not appear until two days after infection and continues until all the chicken pox blisters have formed scabs. Doctors recommend keeping a person quarantined for seven days. An Indian expatriate died in Dammam Central Hospital in 2008 due to severe chicken pox.
