An infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus is what we call the chicken pox. Older children and adults, even children under age 15 can get it. It spreads very easily from one person to another.
Chicken pox is a virus that is considered by itchiness, red blisters that appear all over the body. It is very rare to have the chicken pox infection more than once. Chicken pox vaccine was introduced in the mid-1990’s, which helped cases to decline. A chickenpox vaccine can help avert most cases of chickenpox, or make it less severe if you do get it.
The classic symptom of chickenpox is the rash turns into fluid-filled swellings and eventually turns into scabs. You can usually see these on face, chest and back. It can even spread to the entire body.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
Chickenpox is usually mild and lasts 5 to 10 days. Medication such as Acetaminophen can cure the fever. It can sometimes source serious complications. Persons with low immune systems tend to get sicker from it, so they may need to take antiviral medicines.
Once you catch chickenpox, the virus usually stays in your body. You probably will not get chickenpox again, but the virus can cause shingles in adults.
About two days after experiencing symptoms like fever, headache, tiredness and loss of appetite, the rash will begin to appear. The rash goes through different phases before you improve from the infection. This includes:
- rising red or pink lumps all over your body
- bumps filled with fluid that leak
- bumps that scab over and begin to heal
New bumps will appear throughout your infection. You are still contagious until all the bumps on your body have scabbed over.
Most cases occur through contact with an infected person. It spread over:
- saliva
- coughing
- sneezing
- contact with blisters
What Are Possible Complications of the Chickenpox?
Call your doctor right away if the rash ranges to your eyes, there are signs of bacterial infection such as tenderness and warmth, and lastly when rash is accompanied by dizziness or shortness of breath.
When complications occur, they most often affect infants, elderly parents, patients with weak immune systems and pregnant women.
Treatment for Chicken Pox
Most persons who are spotted with chickenpox can be recommended to succeed their symptoms while they’re waiting for the virus to go through the system. Parents will be told to keep kids out of school and daycare to avoid spread of the virus. Infested adults also need isolation.
Antihistamine medicines or topical ointments may be recommended or bought over the counter to reduce itching. You can also relax itching skin by:
- taking warm baths
- Put on unscented lotion
- trying lightweight, soft clothing
- Soothing lotions and oatmeal baths can aid with itching.