Chicken Pox - Symptoms of Chicken Pox

Chicken Pox is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus(VZV). In the past it was widespread, today with the introduction of the vaccine, fewer cases are being reported. Two doses of varicella vaccine are recommended for children, adults and adolescents.

Chicken Pox-Symptoms

A person who has been infected by chicken pox, may exhibit the following signs. These signs and symptoms differ from one individual to another.

• Fever in the range of 100° to 102° Fahrenheit.
• Abdominal pain.
• A sore throat.
• A headache.
• An undefinable feeling before the rash appears.

In the beginning, the rash is small and resembles an insect bite. This later develops into blisters, which are usually less than a quarter of an inch wide and have a base which is reddish in color and is filled with clear fluid. Once the blisters burst, they turn into sores. These sores finally dry and scabs are formed. These skin blisters occur in stages, starting from the abdomen, back or face. This later spreads to other conceivable places, like the scalp, mouth, nose, ears and genitals.

Chicken Pox-Transmission

Chicken Pox is contagious, that is, it can easily spread from one individual to another. A person who has chicken pox is most contagious during the first 2-5 days that he/she is sick. The infected person spreads the virus by coughing, sneezing, laughing, and even talking!

Chicken Pox-Prevention

The chicken pox vaccine should preferably be given to children when they are 12 to 15 months old, and the booster shot when they are 4 to 6 years old. The vaccine can also be rendered to adolescents and adults who have not had chicken pox.

Chicken Pox-Treatment

Doctors can administer an antiviral medication acyclovir to minimize the symptoms of chicken pox in adults. It is important to note that this medicine is only effective within the first 24 hours after being exposed. Children are not required to take this medicine, because apart from being expensive, it isn't of much help. Calamine lotions and oatmeal baths are used to reduce the itching.

Care Tips

You can care for the person who has contracted chicken pox by:

• Giving the person a bath or a wet compress every 3 to 4 hours, for the first few days, using cool or lukewarm water.
• Using a dry and clean towel to pat the body dry.
• Applying calamine lotion on areas that itch. (Do take care not to apply calamine lotion near the eyes)
• Providing food that is cold, soft and bland and avoiding food that is acidic or very salty.
• Consulting the doctor about medication and treatment you are unsure of.

To discourage children from scratching and causing infections, you could use mittens or socks on their hands, apart from trimming their fingernails and keeping them clean.

Call a doctor when:

• The fever lasts for more than 4 days.
• The temperature rises above 102 °Farenheit
• The blister becomes warm, swollen, sore or has pus.
• The person has a problem looking at bright light.
• There is a persistent cold and problem breathing.
• The person suffers from a stiff neck.
• Faces difficulty walking.
• The person is drowsy and finds staying awake a task.
• The person has an intense headache.