What You Need to Know About Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an infectious disease characterized by red rashes on the skin. While it is most common in children, it can affect people of all ages. The body rashes that appear can eventually turn into fluid-filled blisters. Other symptoms may include a high fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Chickenpox symptoms typically begin to appear about 10-21 days after exposure and are usually mild to moderate in severity. The most common way that chickenpox spreads is through the respiratory tract, but it can also be transmitted by direct contact or contact with infected surfaces. Chickenpox is usually treatable at home, and medications like fever reducers and itch relievers can be used to alleviate symptoms.

What is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which leads to fluid-filled blisters and rashes on the body and causes fatigue in children. As a contagious disease, chickenpox is preventable with a vaccine, which is an important part of the vaccination schedule for babies established by the Ministry of Health. The same virus that causes chickenpox also causes shingles later in life. While chickenpox may have milder symptoms in younger children, it can be much more severe in older individuals, and it can even lead to fetal death during pregnancy.

What Are the Symptoms of Chickenpox?

The chickenpox virus has an incubation period of about 10 to 20 days, during which it manifests as fluid-filled blisters and rashes on the skin. The onset of chickenpox is often marked by slight pink spots on the skin. Fever and fatigue are common symptoms in children. As the disease progresses, the pink spots turn into red, fluid-filled blisters. Loss of appetite, fatigue, irritability, and a runny nose are also symptoms in babies. The fluid-filled blisters begin to crust over and fall off within about 12 to 24 hours, with new ones appearing in their place. Blisters are most commonly seen on the torso and less frequently on the arms, in the hair, and on the face. The disease causes intense itching, and bursting the blisters can leave scars on the skin.

When Should the Chickenpox Vaccine Be Given?

Chickenpox is most commonly seen in preschool children, but it can also affect school-aged children. As it is a contagious disease, children who attend school should avoid sharing personal items with their classmates and stay away from close contact to prevent spreading the disease. The chickenpox vaccine should be given to prevent the disease. It should be administered after the child turns one year old. The vaccine has no significant side effects, though it may cause some irritability, fatigue, and mild fever in some children. An important point regarding the chickenpox vaccine is the six-week period following vaccination. During this period, medications containing salicylates, such as aspirin, should not be used.

Chickenpox Treatment

Chickenpox can typically be managed with plenty of rest, hydration, and healthy nutrition, lasting about seven days. Three of these days may involve a high fever phase, during which fever-reducing medications may be prescribed by a doctor. It is recommended to take a lukewarm bath to help lower the fever. One of the most frequently asked questions regarding this disease is what helps with the itching of chickenpox. To alleviate itching, creams and lotions may be prescribed by a doctor. Since bursting the fluid-filled blisters increases the risk of infection, it is recommended to regularly use anti-itch creams and lotions.

Last Updated Date: 13 April 2018

Publication Date: 12 April 2018