All You Need To Know About ChickenPox2 Minutes read

CHICKENPOX, known as varicella, is essentially a viral illness where the person experiences extremely itchy red rashes and painful red blisters. Considered to be among the most infectious diseases in childhood, the effects of this condition may be mild during the younger ages, but the risk of complications, such as bacterial pneumonia, rise as one grows older. On the other hand, individuals who have been infected by this illness once, develop a lifetime immunity against it. In rare cases, the virus may remain dormant in the body and reactivate a few years later in the form of shingles.

UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES OF CHICKENPOX

This illness is caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus and is commonly spread by saliva droplets of cough or a sneeze. It can also be caused by coming in contact with bed linens, clothing and blisters of an infected individual. While the onset of CHICKENPOX SYMPTOMS occurs about 10 to 21 days after exposure, the illness is considered to be the most contagious 1-2 days prior to the appearance of the rash up until it has completely dried off and scabbed over.

IDENTIFYING CHICKENPOX SYMPTOMS

Chickenpox appears as an extremely itchy rash that starts from the torso, making its way up to the neck, the face and then down the limbs. The pox will last anywhere between 7 and 10 days once the rash begins, develops as red bumps and eventually turn into fluid-filled blisters. These blisters eventually drain out and scab over. They may also appear in the mouth, scalp, around the eyes and on the genitals and may be extremely painful. This process continues for about two weeks until the sores get healed. Remember that the illness continues to be contagious till the spots haven’t entirely dried up.

SEEKING CHICKENPOX TREATMENT

While the only way to ensure CHICKENPOX PREVENTION is to avoid interacting with affected individuals, it is not always possible. It is highly recommended that you visit a doctor if –

CHICKENPOX TREATMENT

Since this disease is extremely contagious, ensure CHICKENPOX PREVENTION by keeping your child at home and not spreading the disease at school. Your child will have to stay home till all the blisters have burst and crusted over. Besides this, there is little or no treatment to pursue except symptomatic care.

Some doctors may prescribe antiviral drugs to shorten the duration of the effects or even advice pain killers in certain situations to relieve pain, swelling and itching. You could consider home remedies such as adding oats or baking soda into bath water, dabbing calamine lotion, and gargling with salt water to reduce discomfort to the patient.