Chicken Pox
The varicella-zoster virus causes varicella, or chickenpox, which is a highly contagious infection. Most people recover in 1-2 weeks, despite the unpleasant symptoms. It's a viral illness that causes a rash that looks like blisters. The rash starts on the face and chest and then spreads across the body. It causes an itchy rash with small, fluid-filled blisters. It is especially contagious in those who have not been immunised. Chickenpox is not a life-threatening illness, although it can cause complications. Chickenpox is the most common infection among babies. Chickenpox can, however, infect adults. It's referred to as a little infection. In severe cases, blisters can extend to the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals.
Stages of Chicken Pox
There are three stages in which the infection progresses:
Stage One
Rashes appear in the first stage. They might also be lumps that are pink or red in colour. These are known as papules. They appear on your entire body.
Stage Two
Over the course of the following few days, the bumps will transform into fluid-filled tiny blisters. These are known as vesicles, and they can linger for up to a day before bursting and oozing.
Final Stage
In the third and final phases, the open wounds will crust up and produce scabs. This infection can be passed to other persons until all of the spots crust over. Moreover, additional papules may appear, resulting in bumps, blisters, and scabs at the same time. The scabs take 7 to 14 days to totally vanish.
Symptoms of Chicken Pox
Symptoms of Chickenpox in Adults
If you're an adult who's had chickenpox for the first time, you'll notice the following symptoms:
- Body aches
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Fever
Furthermore, people may develop a rash that is a clear indication of chickenpox. Even people who have already gotten the chickenpox vaccination might have moderate symptoms. This is referred to as the 'breakthrough chickenpox' by doctors.
Symptoms of Chickenpox in Babies
The following are some indications of chickenpox in children:
- Changes in feeding habits, as well as a loss of appetite
- As the infant suffers itching or pain, his or her sleeping habits will change
- Excessive crying or a lack of response to pain-relieving efforts
- The rash is preceded by a fever
- Increased sleepiness
When to see a doctor?
Consult your doctor if you suspect you or the kid has chickenpox. He or she can typically identify chickenpox by looking at the rash and taking into account other symptoms. If required, the doctor might give drugs to reduce the severity of chickenpox and manage complications. Call early for an appointment and indicate that either you or your kid may have chickenpox to prevent infecting others in the waiting area.
Also, tell your doctor if you have:
- One or both eyes that are affected by the rash
- The rash becomes very red, heated, and sensitive. This can be a sign of a subsequent bacterial skin infection
- The rash (38.9 C) causes dizziness, disorientation, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, tremors, lack of muscle coordination, increased cough, vomiting, stiff neck, and a fever of more than 102 F
- Anyone in the family has an immune system condition or is under the age of six months
Get the best treatment for Chicken Pox from our Dermatologists at Medicover Hospitals.
Causes and risks
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Contact with an infected individual cause the majority of instances. For one to two days before the blisters emerge, the virus is infectious to everyone around them. Until all blisters have crusted over, VZV is infectious. The virus can be spread through
- Saliva
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Contact with fluid from the blisters
Risk factors
If you haven't had chickenpox as a child or haven't got the chickenpox vaccination, you're at risk of acquiring it as an adult. Other aspects to consider are:
- Living with children under the age of 12 who have not been vaccinated
- Working at a school or with children
- Staying in a room with an infected individual for more than 20 minutes
- Touching the rash of someone who has chickenpox or shingles
- Touching clothing or bedding that has recently been used by an affected individual
People are at a higher risk of developing complications from the following conditions:
- A woman who is pregnant and has never had chickenpox
- A person who is taking an immune-suppressing medicine, such as chemotherapy
- Someone whose immune system has been weakened by another illness, such as HIV
- Someone who is taking steroid medicines for another reason, such as rheumatoid arthritis
- An individual whose immune system has been damaged by a previous organ or bone marrow transplant
Complications
Chickenpox complications can arise, although they are uncommon in healthy persons who contract the disease. Chickenpox can cause serious problems.
- A woman who is pregnant and has never had chickenpox
- A person who is taking an immune-suppressing medicine, such as chemotherapy
- Someone whose immune system has been weakened by another illness, such as HIV
- Someone who is taking steroid medicines for another reason, such as rheumatoid arthritis
- An individual whose immune system has been damaged by a previous organ or bone marrow transplant
Some patients who develop significant problems from chickenpox may need to be admitted to the hospital. Chickenpox has the potential to be fatal. Because of the immunisation campaign, deaths are now extremely infrequent. However, some healthy, unvaccinated children and adults continue to die from chickenpox. Many healthy people have died from chickenpox in the past because their children were not immunised.
Prevention
Although there is no cure for chickenpox, there is a vaccination for VZV. For most people, the chickenpox vaccination is now roughly 90% effective at preventing the disease. Persons should avoid close contact with people who have chickenpox, share things with them, isolate any household members who have chickenpox from others, and disinfect surfaces touched by an infected person.
How is Chicken Pox diagnosed
Diagnosis
The characteristic rash is generally enough for doctors to diagnose chickenpox. The doctor can advise you on how to avoid issues and which medications to use to relieve itching. If one develops rashes on the body that are accompanied by a cold and fever, one should see a doctor immediately. The doctor will use a physical examination of the rashes and blisters to assess whether one has caught the virus. The doctor may also order blood tests or a lesion sample test for additional confirmation.
Treatment
Chickenpox doesn't always require medical attention in healthy children or adults. The doctor, on the other hand, will advise patients to do the following:
- Prescribe an antihistamine to help with itching relief
- The disease is allowed to develop according to the stages
- Avoid scratching the itch since this can create markings on your skin and lead to additional skin illnesses
- Wear loose, cotton clothing at home to allow the skin to breathe
- Alternatively, patients might take lukewarm baths and use unscented lotion. Calamine lotion can also suffice
- One may also bathe in oats and pat the skin dry afterwards
- Always avoid touching the skin
- Make sure you're not overheating. Choose a cool, shady spot to remain to avoid the heat
People become immune to the virus when they have caught it and recovered from it.
Do’s and Don’ts of Chicken Pox
Chickenpox may be treated at home in most healthy children and adults. Chickenpox therapy may be required for those with long-term disorders or other health issues. However, following the prescribed dos and don'ts can help you avoid the disease's negative consequences. Some guidelines are as follows:
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Apply calamine lotion | Itch the rash |
| Stay hydrated and cool | Eat spicy food |
| Take the medicines prescribed by the doctor | Use ibuprofen or aspirin |
| Avoid contact with people | Wear uncomfortable clothes |
| Monitor the rashes closely | Eat acidic foods |
Care at Medicover
At Medicover, we have the best team of Dermatologists and skin specialists who work together to provide Chicken Pox treatment with utmost precision. Our highly skilled team utilizes the latest medical equipment, diagnostic procedures and technologies to treat various types of dermatological conditions and ailments. For Chicken Pox, our doctors work closely with the patients to monitor their condition and treatment progress for faster and sustained recovery.
