Chickenpox - Just take the precautions

Chickenpox (varicella) is a common, preventable childhood infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. An itchy rash of spots that look like blisters can appear all over the body and may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Chickenpox is very dangerous for people with immune system problems like leukemia, or for people who are taking drugs that weaken the immune system.  This is a very uncomfortable situation for your child. Chickenpox usually occurs in late winter and early spring.

Symptoms:

• Chickenpox begins with a fever.
• Within 1 to 2 days your child will get a rash that can be very itchy.
• It starts with red spots that soon turn into fluid-filled blisters.
• Some people have only a few blisters. Others can have as many as 500.
• These blisters dry and form scabs in 4 or 5 days.

When to call Doctor: Most chickenpox infections require no special medical treatment. But sometimes, there are problems.

• If your child has fever that lasts for more than 4 days or rises above 102° Fahrenheit (38.8° Celsius)
• If your child has a severe cough or trouble breathing
• If your child has an area of rash that leaks pus (thick, discolored fluid) or becomes red, warm, swollen, or sore
• If your child has a severe headache
• If your child is unusually drowsy or has trouble waking up
• If your child has trouble looking at bright lights
• If your child has difficulty walking
• If your child seems confused
• If your child seems very ill or is vomiting
• If your child has a stiff neck

Chickenpox is contagious: Chickenpox is contagious so it spreads easily. It can spread from 2 days before the rash appears but is most contagious 12 to 24 hours before the rash appears. It usually develops 2 to 3 weeks after contact with an infected person.

• It spreads from person to person through direct contact with the virus. You can get chickenpox if you touch a blister, or the liquid from a blister. You can also get chickenpox if you touch the spit of a person who has it.
• The virus enters the body by the nose or mouth.
• It can also spread through the air.
• A pregnant woman with chickenpox can pass it on to her baby before birth. 
• Mothers with chickenpox can also give it to their newborn babies after birth.

Treatment

• Over-the-counter medicated creams and ointments can be applied to the affected skin to reduce itchiness. Talk to your pharmacist for advice on choosing the best medication.
• Antihistamine liquids and pills can also ease severe itching.
• Antiviral medication may help if taken early in the course of the illness.

If you've never had chickenpox, try to stay away from anyone who's infected until all the blisters have dried and scabs have formed.

How to Deal with the Discomfort of Chickenpox:

• Using cool wet compresses or giving baths in cool or lukewarm water every 3 to 4 hours for the first few days.
• Patting (not rubbing) the body dry.
• Keeping nails cut short and hands clean, as bacteria found under fingernails can infect open skin lesions
• Giving your child foods that are cold, soft, and bland because chickenpox in the mouth may make drinking or eating difficult.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about pain-relieving creams to apply to sores in the genital area.

Prevention through vaccine: According to doctors kids should receive the chickenpox vaccine when they are 12 to 15 months old and a booster shot at 4 to 6 years old. The vaccine is about 70% to 85% effective at preventing mild infection, and more than 95% effective in preventing moderate to severe forms of the infection. The vaccine sometimes causes a slight fever. In 3% to 5% of cases, a mild chickenpox-like rash may appear around the injection site. This is most likely to occur in people with weakened immune systems. Because this rash may be contagious, you should avoid contact with high-risk people such as pregnant women.

Can you have chickenpox twice?
In most cases, you can only get chickenpox once. This is called life-long immunity. But in rare cases, a person might get it again, especially if you were very young when you had it the first time. Also, if you do not have chickenpox as a kid and get it when you are older, problems can occur. So what ever your age, if you are unsure go and see your health care professional.

(Sources: cps.ca, chealth.canoe.ca, kidshealth.org, medicinenet.com, cbhi.org)