Chickenpox, also called varicella and is a highly contagious disease caused by initial infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
Disease is characterized by itchy red blisters that appear all over the body. It often affects children and was so common it was considered a childhood rite of passage.
Occurrence
Chickenpox occurs in all parts of the world.
In 2015 chickenpox resulted in 6,400 deaths globally – down from 8,900 in 1990.
In 2013 there were 140 million cases of chickenpox and herpes zoster worldwide.
It’s very rare to have the chickenpox infection more than once.
Before routine immunization, the number of cases occurring each year was similar to the number of people born.
Since immunization, the number of infections in the United States has decreased nearly 90%.
- Symptoms of Chickenpox
- Causes of Chickenpox
- Risk factors of Chickenpox
- Diagnosis, Complications of Chickenpox
- Treatments of Chickenpox
- Prevention of Chickenpox
Symptoms of chickenpox
An itchy rash is the most common symptom of chickenpox. The infection will have to be in your body for around seven to 21 days before the rash and other symptoms develop. You start to be contagious to those around you up to 48 hours before the skin rash starts to occur.
The non-rash symptoms may last a few days and include:
- Fever and headache
- Loss of appetite
- Aching muscles and nausea
One or two days after you experience these symptoms, the classic rash will begin to develop. The rash goes through three phases before you recover. These include:
You develop red or pink bumps all over your body.
The bumps become blisters filled with fluid that leaks.
The bumps become crusty, scab over, and begin to heal.
The bumps on your body will not all be in the same phase at the same time.
New bumps will continuously appear throughout your infection. The rash may be very itchy, especially before it scabs over with a crust.
You are still contagious until all the blisters on your body have scabbed over. The crusty scabbed areas eventually fall off. It takes seven to 14 days to disappear completely.
Causes of Chickenpox
Chickenpox is an airborne disease which spreads easily through the coughs and sneezes of an infected person.
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes the chickenpox infection.
Most cases occur through contact with an infected person. The virus is contagious to those around you for one to two days before your blisters appear.
VZV remains contagious until all blisters have crusted over.
The virus can spread through: saliva, coughing, sneezing and contact with fluid from the blisters
Risk factors of Chickenpox
Exposure to the virus through previous active infection or vaccination reduces risk. Immunity from the virus can be passed on from a mother to her newborn. Immunity lasts about three months from birth.
Anyone who has not been exposed may contract the virus. Risk increases under any of these conditions: when
- You have had recent contact with an infected person.
- You are under 12 years of age.
- You are an adult living with children.
- You have spent time in a school or childcare facility.
- Your immune system is compromised due to illness or medications.
Diagnosis of Chickenpox
By noticing an unexplained rash, especially if it’s accompanied by cold symptoms or fever.
A physical exam of blisters on the body.
Complications of Chickenpox
Call your doctor right away if:
The rash spreads to your eyes. The rash is very red, tender, and warm (signs of a secondary bacterial infection).The rash is accompanied by dizziness or shortness of breath. When complications occur, they most often affect:
Infants and older adults People with weak immune systems Pregnant women These groups may also contract VZV pneumonia or bacterial infections of the skin, joints, or bones. Women exposed during pregnancy may bear children with birth defects, including Poor growth and small head size Eye problems and intellectual disabilities
Treatments of Chickenpox
Treatment mainly reduces the symptoms.
People should take rest and stay at home to avoid spreading of infection as a protective measure.
Sometime doctor may prescribe antihistamine medications or topical ointments like calamine lotion.
Treatment of chickenpox in children is aimed at symptoms while the immune system deals with the virus. Children younger than 12 years old and older than one month are not meant to receive antiviral drug unless they have another medical condition which puts them at risk of developing complications.
You can also soothe itching skin by:
Taking lukewarm baths and applying unscented lotion
Wearing lightweight, soft clothing
For adults, antiviral medicines are more often prescribe as it is effective in reducing the severity of conditions. Antiviral medicine does not kill the virus but stops it from multiplying. This will allow your body’s immune system to heal faster.
Prevention of Chickenpox
The chickenpox vaccine prevents chickenpox in 98 percent of people who receive the two recommended doses.
Child should get the shot when they are between 12 and 15 months of age. Children get a booster between 4 and 6 years of age.
Older children and adults who haven’t been vaccinated or exposed may receive catch-up doses of the vaccine.
Avoid the virus by limiting contact with infected people. Use good quality face mask for prevention of chickenpox.
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