Real-Life Communication
Pediatricians get asked a lot of questions. Parents ask questions.
And patients do, too.
Answering questions for younger patients can
be one of the biggest communication challenges that a doctor faces. Some medical
schools offer entire courses in the art of talking to young people about health
and illness.
"I have to be able to explain to nervous, worried parents
what's going on with their child," says Dr. John Moore. "I have to be able
to explain to the child what's going on with them. And I have to be able to
tell other professionals. So I have to be able to speak, really, three different
languages."
A very curious young person has come to your office with
a bad rash. You believe he has chicken pox. Using the information below from
the American Medical Association and other sources, answer his questions.
Be sure he can understand -- he's only 10 years old.
Chicken
pox is the common name of a viral disease called varicella zoster. The name
originates from the early description of the lesions the disease causes. Some
people felt they looked like chickpeas placed on the skin.
Only humans
can catch chicken pox. It spreads through secretions and tiny droplets. Sneezing,
coughing, kissing, sharing bottles and cups are common ways to spread it.
In
general, the lesions stop popping up about two to three days after the first
one appeared. It then takes about three days for the lesions to crust over.
Because
the most contagious period of the disease is the first six days, most patients
are quarantined during that time. People who have had chicken pox before need
not be kept away from the patient.
Chicken pox is a relatively benign
infection for most. The worst part is the itch and the appearance of the blisters.
However,
more serious complications do sometimes occur. These can include skin infections,
brain swelling or lung damage. Only about one in every 150,000 cases of chicken
pox results in death. Usually, in those cases, a secondary illness is present.
Questions
- Why do they call them chicken pox?
- How did I catch them?
- How long will they last?
- When can I go back to school?
- Will I die from them?