Chicken Pox

Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella_zoster. Chickenpox spreads in tiny droplets of saliva and nasal mucus coughed out by an infected person. The virus is already in these droplets before any rash develops, which is why it spreads so fast. Kids can be prevented  from VZV by getting the chickenpox vaccine, generally between the ages of 12 to 18 months, although sometimes the vaccine is given to older kids, teens, and adults. But the good news is that chickenpox is a common disorder for kids and most people get better by just resting like you do with a cold or the flu. Many people think of chickenpox as a mild disease and, for most, it is. Chickenpox normally lasts about two weeks and rarely causes complications. But the disease can be severe, even in healthy children.

Chickenpox is seldom fatal (usually from varicella pneumonia ), with pregnant women and those with depressed immune systems being more at risk. Pregnant women not known to be immune and who come into contact with chickenpox may need insistent treatment as the virus can cause serious problems for the fetus. Kids who do get it, if they got the shot, usually get less severe cases, that means they get better quicker.

Chickenpox was once considered a liturgy of passage for most children. The red, itchy rash is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, that is member of a group of viruses called herpesviruses. People who get the virus often form a rash of spots that look like blisters all over their bodies. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), also known as human herpes virus 3 (HHV-3), one of the eight herpes viruses known to strike humans. After a chickenpox infection, the virus remains in the body (remains dormant). It doesn't do any harm as it's kept under control by the immune system; the part of the body which fights infection.

And the really good news is that, thanks to the chickenpox vaccine, lots of kids don't get chickenpox at all. Symptomatic treatment, with calamine lotion to ease itching and paracetamol (known in the U.S. as acetaminophen) to minimise fever, is widely used. A chickenpox vaccine has been procurable since 1995, and is now required in some countries for children to be admitted into rudimentary school unless the parent/guardian submits an exemption. In addition, effective medications (e.g. aciclovir ) are present to treat chickenpox in healthy adults and immuno-compromised persons.

Causes of Chicken Pox

The common Causes of Chicken Pox :

• Importunate wrong feeding of children:
• Contact with broken chickenpox blisters
• Conditions which affect the immune system, including HIV infection
• Poor immune system
• Herpes Zoster Virus
• Inhaling airborne droplets
• Chicken pox is caused by the Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV).

Symptoms of Chicken Pox

Some Symptoms of Chicken Pox :

• General feeling of disquiet and discomfort (malaise) or irritability.
• Rash on the upper chest or back:
• These symptoms are mild in young children.
• The rash is often itchy.
• Fatigue, irritability and sore throat.
• Weakness.
• Mild headache.
• After one or two days, the blisters turn into scabs.
• Fever.

Treatment of Chicken Pox

• The treatment mainly consists of easing the symptoms.
• Avoid scratching the blisters due to the risk of infection.
• Keep the patient in cold surroundings, as heat and sweat may make the itching bad.
• Pay attention to personal hygiene.
• In attacks of chickenpox where the itching is so severe that the child's sleep is totally disturbed, antihistamine medicines with a heavily narcotic effect can be used. Antihistamines are medicines for allergic reactions, motion sickness or insomnia .
• Calamine lotion will help to relieve the itching.
• In serious cases of chickenpox in people with a weak immune system, aciclovir (eg Zovirax tablets/suspension) , which works specifically against chickenpox, can be used.
• Keep in mind that infected person will be infectious till all the blisters have scabs and when new blisters have stopped appearing. They should remain at home while they are infectious.