Chicken Pox Definition Symptoms Treatment And Prevention

Definition:

Chicken pox is a highly contagious illness caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus. It usually starts with vesicular skin rash mainly on the body and head rather than at the periphery and becomes itchy, raw pockmarks, which mostly heal without scarring.

Chickenpox is an airborne disease spread easily through coughing or sneezing of ill individuals or through direct contact with secretions from the rash. A person with chickenpox is infectious one to two days before the rash appears.They remain contagious until all lesions have crusted over .

Symptoms:

• Rashes all over body
• Fever 
• Blisters 
• Uncontrollable itching
• Pneumonia 
• Brain damage in severe cases
  •  
• Myalgia
•  Nausea
•  Headache,
• Sore throat
•  Pain in both ears

Treatment:

Chicken pox is usually a benign self-limited disease, treatment is typically aimed at treating symptoms and making the patient more comfortable. 

•  Acetaminophen

Patients with chicken pox typically have viral-type, prodromal symptoms such as headache, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. These symptoms can be treated with acetaminophen  with doses determined by the weight of the patient. Children should never be given aspirin or medications containing aspirin for chicken pox or any other viral illness because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.

•  Soothing Baths

Frequent baths are sometimes helpful to relieve itching. Adding finely-ground (colloidal) oatmeal such as Aveeno can help improve itching. Oatmeal baths can be prepared at home also by grinding or blending dry oatmeal into a fine powder and adding about 2 cups to the bath water.

•  Lotions

The most common lotion used for chicken pox is Calamine lotion. This or any similar over-the-counter preparation can be applied to the blisters to help dry them out and smooth the skin.

•  Antihistamines

Antihistamines may be used to control severe itching eg.Tab.Avil 25mg,Tab.Cetrizine 10mg .Both of these antihistamines cause drowsiness and may be helpful at night to help the patient sleep. 

• Preventing Scratching

Scratching increases the risk of secondary bacterial infections. All patients with chicken pox should have their nails trimmed short. In addition, small children may have to wear mittens to reduce scratching.

•  Acyclovir( Anti-Virals)

Acyclovir (Zovirax) is an anti-viral drug that may be used to treat chicken pox. In uncomplicated cases acyclovir taken 5 times a day has been shown to cause shorter periods of new lesion formation, fewer lesions, and more rapid healing but only if started within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of the rash.

 

Prevention:

• The spread of chickenpox can be prevented by isolating affected individuals.
•   Maintaining good hygiene. 
• Vaccination 

First dose given between 12-18 months
Vaccination should not be given to:
1. Those allergic to gelatin, neomycin
2. Pregnant women
3. The immuno-compromised