chickenpox

Chickenpox


About chicken pox
Caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), used to chicken pox is a common disease in children in the United States
(Especially in the under 12 years). An itchy rash of spots that look like blisters can appear all over the body and
be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Chickenpox is very contagious, an infected child should go home and rest, to remain
the rash is gone.

Children of VZV by being the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine protected. The vaccine reduced the
Opportunities chickenpox. Vaccinated children who get chickenpox tend to have milder cases and faster recoveries
compared to those who contract the virus and are not immunized.

Symptoms
Chickenpox often begins with fever, headache, sore throat or stomach pain. These symptoms may last for a few days, with
Fever of 101 ° -102 ° F (38.3 ° -38.8 ° C) range.

Chickenpox causes a red, itchy rash that usually appears first on the abdomen or back and face and then spreads to be
almost anywhere on the body, including the scalp, mouth, arms, legs and genitals.

The rash begins, several small red bumps that look like pimples or insect bites, usually less than a quarter of a
Inches wide. They appear in crops over 2 to 4 days and develop into thin-walled blisters filled with fluid. The blister
Break walls, so that open sores, which finally crust over to dry, brown scabs. The rash is very itchy and cool
Baths or calamine lotion can help to manage the itching.

A hallmark of chickenpox is that all levels (red bumps, blisters and scabs) will appear on the body at the same time. The
Rash may be more extensive or in children who have severe skin conditions such as eczema or weakened immune systems. Young children tend
a mild illness with fewer blisters than older children or adults.

In rare cases, severe bacterial infections of the skin, lungs, bones, joints and brain can occur.

Risk of shingles
Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for developing a skin condition called shingles (herpes zoster) in later life.
This is because after an infection, VZV remains inactive in nerve cells near the spinal cord and reactivate later as
Shingles, the tingling, itching, or pain in one area of ​​the body can be followed by a rash with red bumps and
Bubbles. Fortunately this is a rare event in children and adolescents who have a healthy immune system.

It is also unusual for someone who has been vaccinated against chickenpox to develop singles later in life. If this is the case
happen, the case of shingles is usually milder and less likely to cause complications than a person who does not
immunized.

Contagiousness
The chickenpox virus spreads both through the air (by coughing and sneezing) and by direct contact with mucus, saliva,
or fluid from blisters. Chickenpox is contagious from about 2 days before the rash appears until all the blisters are
crusted. A child with chickenpox should be kept out of school until all blisters have dried, usually about 1 week.
If you are unsure whether your child is ready to return to school, ask your doctor.

Chickenpox is very contagious - most kids with a sibling who is infected, it will get (if they do not have
already had the disease or the vaccine), the symptoms about 2 weeks after the first child. To help out
Distribution, make sure your children wash their hands often, especially before eating and after using the toilet. And
keep a child with chickenpox away from unvaccinated siblings as much as possible.

People who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine to catch it from someone with shingles, but they can not catch
Shingles itself That's because shingles can only develop from a reactivation of VZV in someone who has previously had any
Chickenpox.

High-risk groups
Certain groups of people are at risk for complications of chickenpox, including pregnant women and anyone with
Problems with the immune system. These groups should avoid it, others, the chicken pox.

If a pregnant woman does not have chickenpox in the past contracts it had (especially in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy)
the fetus is at risk for birth defects and the mother is at risk for more health complications than if she'd
infected when she was not pregnant. If she develops chickenpox just before or after the child is born, the newborn is at
Risk for serious health complications. There is no danger of a developing baby if the mother develops during the shingles
Pregnancy.

If a pregnant woman has had chickenpox before the pregnancy, the baby will be protected from infection for the first few
Months of life, since the mother's immunity will come to the baby through the placenta and breast milk.

Those at risk for severe disease or serious complications - had as newborns whose mothers chickenpox at the time of
Delivery, patients with leukemia or immune deficiencies, and kids who are taking medicines that suppress the immune system - can
given to reduce a drug after exposure to chickenpox to their severity.

Prevention
The chickenpox vaccine to 99% effective in the prevention of VZV infection in children. Doctors recommend that children receive the
Chickenpox vaccine twice - when they are 12 to 15 months of age, with a booster shot at 4 to 6 years.

Persons 13 years and over who have never had chickenpox or have not should get two doses of the vaccine
the vaccine to protect at least 28 days apart. While few people who have not been vaccinated actually develop chickenpox,
those who tend to develop very mild cases of the disease and recover quickly.

Healthy children who have had chickenpox do not need the vaccine - they usually have lifelong protection against the
Disease.

Treatment
Since a virus causes chickenpox, doctors will not prescribe antibiotics to treat. However, antibiotics may be required if
the sores become infected by bacteria. This is very common among kids because they often scratch and pick at the
Bubbles.

An antiviral medication may be prescribed for people with chickenpox who are at risk for complications. The decision
This is starting to use a child's age and health, the extent of infection and the time of treatment. Their
Doctor can tell you if the medication is right for your child.

Dealing with complaints
For relief of itching, fever, and discomfort of chickenpox:

Use cool wet compresses or giving baths in cool or lukewarm water every 3 to 4 hours for the first few days. Oatmeal bath
Products in supermarkets and drug stores, may help relieve itching. (Bath not spread the rash.)
Pat (do not rub) the body dry.
Put calamine lotion on itchy areas (but do not use it on the face, especially near the eyes).
Serve foods that are cold, soft and mild, because chickenpox in the mouth may make drinking or eating difficult. Avoid
Feed your child anything highly acidic or especially salty, like orange juice or pretzels.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist of use analgesic creams on wounds in the genital area.
Give your child acetaminophen regularly to relieve pain if your child has mouth blisters.
Ask. Doctor about using over-the-counter medication for itching
Never use aspirin to reduce pain or fever in children with chickenpox because aspirin is associated with serious
Disease Reye syndrome, which can lead to liver failure and even death.

As much as possible, discourage kids from scratching. This can be difficult for them, so consider gloves or
On your child's hands to prevent socks from scratches during sleep. In addition, trim fingernails clean and keep it in order to help
reduce the effects of scratching, including broken blisters and infection.

Most chickenpox infections require no special medical treatment. But sometimes there are problems. Call the doctor if
Your child:

Fever that rises for more than 4 days or more than 102 ° F takes (38.8 ° C)
has a severe cough or trouble breathing
has an area of ​​rash that leaks pus (thick, yellowish liquid) or red, warm, swollen or sore is
has a severe headache
is unusually drowsy or has trouble waking up
has difficulty in finding bright lights
has difficulty walking
seems confused
seems very ill or is vomiting
has a stiff neck
Call your doctor if you think your child has chickenpox and you have a question or are concerned about a possible
Complication. The doctor may just for complications and in choosing medication to relieve itching in the lead.

If you want your child to the doctor, let the office in advance that your child might have chickenpox know. It is
important to try to avoid that other kids in the office - for some of them could cause a chickenpox infection
serious complications.