Chicken Pox

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What is Chicken pox?


Chicken pox is a highly contagious disease caused by the Varicella
virus, a member of the herpes virus family. It can occur at any age
group, more common in children but often more severe in adults. It is
spread by direct contact, or by droplets from an infected person or
indirectly through articles freshly soiled by droplets or fluid from
the blisters of an infected person.
A person who has chickenpox can transmit the virus for up to 48
hours before the rash appears and remains contagious until all spots
crust over. It can, at a later stage, cause shingles.


Signs and Symptoms




An infected person usually has fever with red spots which turn into
small liquid-filled blisters that break open and crust over. The rashes
normally involve the face, scalp, chest, back and may spread across
the entire body. The chickenpox rash usually appears less than two weeks
after exposure to the virus. New spots continue to appear for several
days and may number in the hundreds. Itching may range from mild to
intense and may leave scar when scratched. Other symptoms may include
abdominal pain or loss of appetite, mild headache, general feeling of
unease and discomfort (malaise) or irritability. The infected person
has mild cough and runny nose the first two days of illness before the
rash appears.



Complication


Chickenpox usually lasts about two weeks and rarely causes complications.
The disease can be serious, even in healthy children and can lead to
complications and even death especially in these high-risk groups:

• Newborns and infants whose mothers never had chickenpox or the vaccine
  

• In pregnant women, it can cause low birth weight and birth
  defects, such as limb abnormalities. If the mother develops chickenpox
  in the week before birth, it can cause a serious, life-threatening
  infection to a newborn.
  

• People whose immune systems are impaired by another
  disease or condition such as HIV, leukaemia and cancer patient on
  chemotherapy
  
• People who are taking steroid medications
  for another disease or condition, such as children with asthma and
  Nephrotic Syndrome
  
• People with the skin inflammation like eczema
  

Complications of chicken pox include:-

• Skin infection with red, swollen, or tender sores
  
• Dehydration due to frequent vomiting or refusal to drink. The person
  will pass urine less often, experience dry mouth and lips, and feels
  very thirsty.
  
• Brain damage from encephalitis, which may present with severe headache,
  confusion, irritability, stiff neck and back or excessive drowsiness
  
• Arthritis characterised by joint pain, stiffness and swelling.
  
• Pneumonia (lung infection) characterised by coughing, wheezing,
  breathing difficulty and chest pain
  
• Post herpetic neurolfia, defined as any pain remaining after full
  intranous hearing
  

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Treatment


What is the treatment for Chicken pox?


Anti-viral medications such as Acyclovir or intravenous immune
globulin can be used to treat chickenpox which are usually most
effective when taken within the first 24 hours of developing the
illness. They reduce the severity and duration of chickenpox, as well
as reduce the likelihood of complications. Most adults would benefit
from them if taken early enough, especially those who have impaired
immunity as they are more susceptible to severe chickenpox.
If complications develop, appropriate treatment will be given. Antibiotic
is needed for skin infection and pneumonia. Hospitalization is necessary
for those with encephalitis and antiviral is usually given.

<li>Apply calamine lotion </li><li>Antihistamine to relieve itching </li>Acetaminophen for the fever Prevention Vaccination provides life-long immunity and should be given between 12 to 18 months. For those below the age of 13 years should receive only 1 dose of the chicken pox vaccine. Those who are 13 years and above need 2 doses, 4-8 weeks apart. Chicken pox infection may confer life long immunity .However it is still possible to get chicken pox more than once although this not common Rehabilitation Severe post herpetic neurolfia can be debilitating.This condition can be treated /controlled.