Â
If you think you may have chickenpox, it’s important to understand the symptoms. You will also want to know how to treat the illness and what complications you can expect. These articles will give you the information you need to get through this disease. You can avoid complications and even learn how to prevent them.
Symptoms
Chickenpox is a contagious illness, caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is most common in young children, but it can also affect adults and older children. If a child is, not vaccinated, they are more likely to get chickenpox. During the first two weeks of chickenpox, symptoms may be mild or severe. The rash usually starts on the back, face, or stomach, but it may also move inside the child’s eyes or throat. It will appear as raised bumps, scabs, or blisters and is extremely itchy. Avoid breaking the blisters, as this may lead to infection.
A doctor can diagnose chickenpox by looking at the rash and other symptoms. The doctor can prescribe medications to help reduce the severity of the disease and reduce the chances of complications. It is important to schedule an appointment as early as possible to avoid infecting others in the waiting room.
Children who have chickenpox may experience fever and itchiness. A doctor can prescribe acetaminophen to reduce fever and relieve itching. Never administer aspirin or ibuprofen to children with chickenpox, as they may increase the risk of complications. Children with chickenpox should not scratch their blisters, as this can cause secondary bacterial infections. Instead, apply ice cubes to the itchy spots and leave them for 10 minutes.
While a healthy adult can recover from chickenpox without complications, newborns and those with weak immune systems should visit a healthcare professional immediately if they develop the symptoms of chickenpox. Infection with chickenpox can lead to pneumonia, which is a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection of the lungs. In pregnant women, there is also a risk of passing the infection to the fetus. In severe cases, the infection can lead to birth defects.
Adults with chickenpox should consider a vaccination against chickenpox. The vaccine can prevent this disease and protect against it in future generations. Symptoms of chickenpox include a fever, fatigue, and blister-like rash. These blisters form scabs and may appear on the head, armpits, trunk, or eyelids. The symptoms usually begin fourteen to sixteen days after being, exposed to someone with chickenpox.
Treatment
Treatment for chickenpox varies, depending on the severity of the outbreak. Common symptomatic treatments include paracetamol for fever, topical calamine, or crotamiton for the rash. Antihistamines can help relieve pruritus and help patients sleep. In some cases, aciclovir may be prescribed. However, this medication is not suitable for children.
If the disease is, not treated appropriately, it can lead to severe complications, including death. People with a weakened immune system or those with other diseases are at risk of complications. Regular treatment with anti-viral drugs can prevent the condition from reoccurring later. In addition, vaccination is a requirement for all parents of babies. The vaccination is a 95 percent effective method of preventing severe outbreaks of chickenpox. However, up to 10 percent of vaccinated children will still develop mild symptoms.
A doctor can diagnose chickenpox based on the rash and other symptoms of the disease. There are also medications available to treat chickenpox. In severe cases, the disease can lead to pneumonia, hepatitis, thrombocytopenia, and encephalitis. People with weakened immune systems, unvaccinated children, and newborns are especially susceptible to complications. The disease is highly contagious and is not yet completely eradicated, but it is not completely curable and should be treated as quickly as possible.
In cases of severe complications hospitalization is, recommended. A pregnant woman who has contracted chickenpox after the 20th week of pregnancy has a 30% chance of passing it on to her unborn child. If the infection occurs during the first 20 weeks, the mother should be treated with oral antivirals to avoid passing the disease to the baby. If the infection occurs later in the pregnancy, it may result in birth defects, such as shortened arms and legs.
Non-aspirin pain-killers can help control the itching and reduce the fever. However, aspirin should never be given to children since it may lead to Reye’s syndrome, a condition related to brain and liver dysfunction. Children may also benefit from a warm, oatmeal bath and soothing lotions. Antihistamines and diphenhydramine (Benaze) are also helpful in controlling the itching.
Prevention
Prevention of chickenpox begins with recognizing the signs and symptoms, and avoiding exposure to infected individuals. Although chickenpox is a relatively minor illness, it warrants strict procedures to prevent its spread. Fortunately, most people who contract it recover without complications. The most important measures for prevention include keeping exposed individuals at home and using antihistamines to alleviate itching. Also, use soft clothing and apply unscented lotion to soothe the skin.
Although chickenpox is a common childhood illness, it is highly contagious and the chances of contracting a secondary infection are high. It’s also important to note that secondary attack rates of the Varicella-Zoster virus may exceed 90% in household contacts. Fortunately, chickenpox can be prevented with vaccines.
Prevention of chickenpox is essential for the health and well-being of both the child and the mother. Infection during pregnancy is especially harmful, as the child may develop pneumonia and birth defects. Therefore, if you’re pregnant and have not been immunized, contact a healthcare provider right away.
The chickenpox vaccine protects eighty to ninety percent of people against infection. However, people who have not received the vaccine can develop chickenpox after being, exposed. Those who are, not fully protected usually have a mild illness with a small rash and no fever. Infection with varicella is relatively rare in adults. Most adults have been infected during childhood, and are protected against it by the vaccine. Antiviral drugs are effective in decreasing the risk of long-term sequelae.
The best way to prevent chickenpox is to prevent contact with the infected person. The virus can be spread through airborne particles and by touching the skin of an infected person. Chickenpox is highly contagious and an infected person can be contagious even before the symptoms show up.
Complications
While most healthy people who contract chickenpox recover without complications, severe cases may require hospitalization or even lead to death. Severe complications can include pneumonia, brain infection, or liver failure. Although these conditions are uncommon, they are still a serious concern. People with certain medical conditions such as cancer, HIV, or compromised immune systems are at a higher risk for severe complications.
During the course of the illness, the rash may appear in the face, especially on the cornea or the conjunctiva. Sometimes, the rash is, seen 1 week after the initial infection, or it can appear more than a week later. The rash may be accompanied by corneal thinning or anterior staphyloma.
People with impaired immune systems and pregnant women are particularly susceptible to the complications of chickenpox. Women who are, immunocompromised or pregnant should avoid contact with infected people. It is important to know that chickenpox can transmit to a fetus and may lead to birth defects.
When a person contracts chickenpox, the rash appears as a red papule that develops into a thin-walled, clear vesicle filled with highly contagious fluid. The vesicle will become cloudy and crusted after eight to twelve hours.
Some cases of chickenpox can be so severe that they require hospitalization. A person with chickenpox should see a doctor for a medical diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. This can prevent the disease from spreading and causing more serious problems. In some cases, it may even lead to a serious secondary bacterial skin infection called shingles.
Adults with chickenpox usually experience prodromal symptoms for about 48 hours. During this period, patients may have fever, malaise, headache, and abdominal pain. Symptoms should clear up within one to three weeks. If the patient has a severe case, they may need to be treated with antiviral medication.
Vaccination is a good idea for preventing chickenpox. The vaccine is almost 100 percent effective at preventing chickenpox. The vaccine can even reduce the severity of the disease. Children who have not had chickenpox previously should receive two doses of the vaccine.
