Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Before the vaccine became available, about 4 million children in the Unites
States contracted chickenpox each year, and nearly 11,000 people were
hospitalized and about 100 people died each year from chickenpox
infections. Thanks to the vaccine, the number of cases and hospitalizations is
down dramatically.
However, when chickenpox does occur, it's highly contagious among people
who aren't immune. Most people think of chickenpox as a mild disease —
and, for most, it is. But, there's no way to know which infected child or adult
will develop a severe case.
SMYPTOMS:
• A red, itchy rash that initially may look like insect bites
• Small, liquid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
The chickenpox rash occurs in three stages. First, there are raised pink or red
bumps (papules). These bumps will turn into fluid-filled blisters (vesicles).
And, finally, the vesicles will crust over and scab. It's possible that all three of
these stages may occur at once.
• Fever
• Abdominal pain or loss of appetite
• Mild headache
• General feeling of unease and discomfort (malaise) or irritability
• A dry cough
• Headache
Common sites for the rash include the face, scalp, chest and back. The rash
can also spread across your entire body, even into your throat, eyes and
vagina. New spots continue to appear for several days. In healthy children,
the disease is generally mild.
Also, be sure to let your doctor know if any of these complications occur:
RISK FACTORS:
Chickenpox, which is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is highly contagious
to people not immune to it. The disease spreads quickly, especially in
locations where people are in close contact, such as child care facilities,
schools and families. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with the rash
or by droplets dispersed into the air by coughing or sneezing.
A person who has chickenpox can transmit the virus for up to 48 hours before
the telltale rash appears and remains contagious until all spots crust over.
People who've been vaccinated against chickenpox are usually immune to
the virus. The same is true of anyone who has had chickenpox in the past.
People at risk of contracting chickenpox include anyone who hasn't been
vaccinated or who has never had the disease.
COMPLICATIONS:
Chickenpox is normally a mild disease. But it can be serious and can lead to
complications, especially in these high-risk groups:
Shingles can lead to its own complication — a condition in which the pain of
shingles persists long after the blisters disappear. This complication, called
postherpetic neuralgia, can be severe.
If you're pregnant and not immune to chickenpox, talk to your doctor about
the risks to you and your unborn child.
MANAGEMENT:
In otherwise healthy children, chickenpox typically requires no medical
treatment. Your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine to relieve itching. But
for the most part, the disease is allowed to run its course.
For people who have a high risk of complications from chickenpox, doctors
sometimes prescribe medications to shorten the duration of the infection and
to help reduce the risk of complications.
If you or your child falls into a high-risk group, your doctor may suggest an
antiviral drug such as acyclovir (Zovirax) or another drug called immune
globulin intravenous (IGIV). These medications may lessen the severity of the
disease when given within 24 hours after the rash first appears. Other
antiviral drugs, such as valacyclovir (Valtrex) and famciclovir (Famvir), also
may lessen the severity of the disease, but have been approved for use only
in adults. In some cases, your doctor may recommend getting the chickenpox
vaccine after exposure to the virus. This can prevent the disease or lessen
its severity.
• Don't scratch. Scratching can cause scarring, slow down the healing
process and increase the risk that the sores will become infected. If
your child can't seem to stop scratching, put gloves on his or her
hands, especially at night. And trim his or her fingernails to lessen the
amount of damage that can be done. If itching is particularly severe or
irritating, talk to your doctor about prescribing an antihistamine for
relief.
• Take to the tub. Comfortably cool baths can help relieve itching and
provide a playful diversion for a young child. For added relief, sprinkle
the bath water with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal
oatmeal — a finely ground oatmeal that is made for the tub, not the
stove.
• Apply lotion. Dabbing the spots with calamine lotion may help relieve
the itching.
• Try bed and a bland diet. Getting plenty of rest can help beat any
infection. Soft, bland foods can also be helpful if chickenpox sores
develop in the mouth. Spicy, acidic or hard and crunchy foods can be
irritating to mouth sores.
• Treat a fever. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin, others) won't cure chickenpox, but either medication can lower
a mild fever. Don't give aspirin to anyone with chickenpox because it
can lead to a serious condition called Reye's syndrome. And don't try
to treat a high fever without consulting your doctor.
PREVENTION:
The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine is the best way to prevent
chickenpox. Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) estimate that the vaccine provides complete protection from the virus
for nearly 90 percent of young children who receive it. When the vaccine
doesn't provide complete protection, it significantly lessens the severity of
the disease.
If you've had chickenpox, you don't need the vaccine. A case of the
chickenpox usually makes a person immune to the virus for life. It's possible
to get chickenpox more than once, but this isn't common.
• Pregnant women
• People with weakened immunity, such as those with HIV or people on
immune-suppressing medications
• People who are allergic to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin
Talk to your doctor if you're unsure about your need for the vaccine. If you're
planning on becoming pregnant, consult with your doctor to make sure you're
up to date on your vaccinations before conceiving a child.