Kristina Hildebrand, age 8, of Tooele, Utah, for her question:

HOW DOES A PERSON GET CHICKEN POX?

Chicken pox which is also called varicella, is one of the most common diseases of children. It is caused by a virus and is transmitted from one child to another, usually by droplets from the nose or from the moist crust that falls from skin eruptions.

For a 10 day period, running from the day before the first spots are noticeable and continuing until after new ones stop appearing, the disease is very contagious.

Chicken pox is usually a mild disease and complications are rare. Tiny blisters itch but a child should resist scratching them. Calamine lotion or other salves are usually suggested by a doctor to soothe the skin.

A child who has had chicken pox once usually does not get it again.