I was in my early 30s when I succumbed to the highly contagious chicken pox (Varicella).

As is typical for many adults, I had a severe case of all the usual symptoms, starting out with a high fever, aches throughout the body and a headache that left me in a fog. A couple of days later a rash of raised red bumps started to appear in crops all over my body and  developed into small blistered vesicles. The feeling of exhaustion was just overwhelming.

The local doctor who diagnosed me summed it up: ‘You are feeling miserable, you have a right to feel miserable, go home and be miserable.’ I was grateful, however what could I do to manage the immediate symptoms or the intense itching and risk of subsequent scarring, all part of the progression of chicken pox?

I was very anxious to get well quickly as all this coincided with the imminent birth of my sister’s first child. I’d been invited to be present at the birth — a great honour and something I didn’t want to miss.

It was then by chance that I spoke with a local homeopath, who took down a detailed description of my symptoms and gave a  homeopathic medicine. It immediately relieved the rash and headache and, more importantly, resulted in minimal itching or scarring. Most  importantly, I recovered in time to see my beautiful nephew come into the world.

TANYA ROBINSON, professional homeopath, Vic