What Is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella virus. It is contagious (meaning easy to spread), and causes an itchy rash. The rash starts out as red bumps, turns into fluid-filled blisters and then scabs over. New blisters or vesicles appear, as others are drying up. Typically, there is a rash, fever, headaches, body aches and a feeling of being unwell - prior to and several days into the illness. If you suspect that you or your child has chickenpox consult your doctor.

How Is It Spread?
Chickenpox is easily spread through the air. For example, when a person with chickenpox coughs, sneezes, laughs and even talks, droplets filled with the virus, come out of the mouth or nose. Chickenpox is also spread by direct contact with fluids in blisters. It can be spread quickly among people who are in close contact with each other in confined spaces, such as children in small classrooms, offices, or people who share bedrooms. In the early stages, chickenpox is very infectious or very easy to spread. The most infectious period is usually from 2 days before the rash appears, and up to 10 days until the spots are dry and crusted.

Prevention and Control

Chickenpox vaccination. may be prevented through is

A method to control the spread of chickenpox, to isolate persons: Persons with chickenpox should be excluded from school, work or daycare until lesions have crusted. In homes, individuals should be kept in a room, with good ventilation, away from the rest of the family. They should not return to work or school for up to 10 days or until the spots are dried and crusted over.

* Going out in public while still infectious

expose others to the chickenpox virus.

can

Treatment
Who is likely to get it?
People who have been exposed to the chickenpox virus are likely to come down with the illness within 10-21 days after exposure. It is a common illness among children who usually have a relatively mild illness. However, occasionally complications may develop. Most adults who have had the disease in childhood are immune - that is protected from getting it again. The following chickenpox: persons are at high risk of getting Chickenpox symptoms without treatment. To ease symptoms, will usually go away persons should:

Drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration: Use Calamine lotion on the spots to ease the itching. Taking only if control night, an anti-histamine such as Benadryl, prescribed by a doctor, to help the itching or to help you sleep at if itching is a problem.

Newborns, Immuno-suppressed persons e.g. those with leukemia, HIV/AIDSj Persons on chemotherapy, Persons with severe chronic illness: and Pregnant women (who have not had chickenpox). If exposed, these persons should immediately consult their doctor.

Take an over the counter medication such as Panadol or Tylenol to ease fever, headaches, aches and pains. *Do not give anyone with chickenpox - child or adult - any medication containing aspirin because this combination has been associated with a condition called Reye's Syndrome. Specific treatment for persons experiencing complications will have to be determined by a doctor.

Chickenpox Chickenpox and Shingles

A person is considered immune or protected after having chickenpox. However, years later the virus can reactivate and resurface as Shingles - a painful band of short-lived blisters. Shingles occur mainly in older adults and can be triggered or caused by stress, exposure to sunlight or immuno-suppressive therapy.