CHICKENPOX: All you need to know
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by primary infection with varicella
zoster virus (VZV). It usually starts with vesicular skin rash mainly on the body and
head. It cannot be treated with antibiotics. Treatment is usually to relieve the
symptoms. It is highly contagious and spread by either having direct contact with
(i.e. touching) the person who has chickenpox, or from fluid droplests in the air
when they cough or by touching the liquid from the blisters. Children with
chickenpox are infectious from one or two days before the rash first appears until the
last blisters.
Fever and rash are the most common signs of chickenpox. Children and adults of
any age can get chickenpox but it is more common in children.Rarely chickenpox
causes complication like inflammation of brain, lungs and superadded bacterial
infection of the skin.
Signs and Symptoms
A mild fever
Feeling tired and irritable
Itching
Rash
The rash usually appears from 10 to 21 days after first being exposed to someone who ha
chickenpox. This time between exposures to getting the rash is called the Icubation
period. Children with a sever e infection or with underlying serious medical conditions
may be given anti- viral medication. Most children with chicken pox are unwell for about
five to seven days. Only a few will need to be admitted to the hospital.
Friends of Scientifica,
October
2016