ELIZABETH CITY, NC – Some middle schools students have been  treated for chickenpox.

According to Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Schools, several cases were reported earlier this week at River Road MS.

Health officials say the highly-contagious infection is common in children and that younsters who received the chickenpox vaccine may still experience a mild case.

The virus is spread during coughing or sneezing or by direct contact with the blisters.

Symptoms include fever, skin rash usually on the chest, back, underarms, neck and face that changes to blisters and then scabs

Health officials say chickenpox can be spread from one to two days before the rash develops until the blisters have dried into scabs, which is usually about six days after the rash appears.

If your child has chickenpox, keep them out of school until al lthe blisters have dried and scabs have formed.

School nurses warn that children with any virus shouldn't be given aspirin because of the association between aspirin and the disease Reye's Syndrome.

> View Larger Map