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CHICKEN POX

Herpes zoster (Chicken Pox) - what is it ?

A highly contagious viral disease, chickenpox is common but mild in children; it is more severe in adults. Infection is easily spread via airborne droplets that are exhaled or expelled (e.g. when coughing or sneezing), causing outbreaks in places where there are close person-to-person contacts. Epidemics are thus common in schools, military camps, dormitories, and crowded areas. A single attack gives a person lifelong immunity. However, the virus may remain dormant in the nerve tissues and reappear later in life as shingles.

SYMPTOMS

Fever and malaise (headache, backache, sore throat, weakness, etc),runny nose which precedes the rash.
Rash, which starts as small, very itchy red bumps on the upper arms and armpits, behind the ears, and on the torso (chest, abdomen, and back).The bumps turn into fluid-filled blisters and after several days dry up, crust over, and finally fall off on their own. Duration of illness is about 2 weeks.
Severe itch.

COMPLICATIONS

Secondary bacterial infection.
Pneumonia (lung infection),which is common in adults.
Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain),in rare cases.
If a pregnant woman gets infected a few days before delivery, the newborn could get a severe form of the disease.

CAUSE

Infection by the Varicella zoster virus. A person is highly infectious about two days before the rash appears and about a week after, or when all blisters have crusted over. Chickenpox is transmitted via:

Airborne nose and mouth secretions expelled when an infected person exhales, coughs, or sneezes.
Direct contact with ruptured blisters.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Take a complete rest until all blisters have dried up. Full recovery comes a week to 10 days after the rash breaks out.

Do not burst the blisters, scratch, or peel off the scabs to avoid spreading the viral infection as well as to prevent secondary bacterial infection and scarring. Trim a child's fingernails or put on mittens to keep him from scratching.
Take antifever medicine for the fever; this will also take care of the aches.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you think you or your child has the symptoms and have not had the disease.
Take plenty of cool (Room temperature) water, about 10-16 glasses per day
Have warm shower 3 times daily.

WHAT YOUR DOCTOR/PHARMACIST CAN DO FOR YOU

Prescribe antiviral tablets for an adult. (Children usually need only rest.) To be effective, however, the treatment must be started very soon after the rash appears (at least within 24-48 hours).
Prescribe antibiotics, if there is secondary infection.
Prescribe anti-histamines to reduce the itch and help in skin healing.
Prescibe topical cream/lotion to reduce skin rash and scarring.
Treat the complications.

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