Chickenpox - The childhood dismay
Chickenpox also known as varicella is a highly contagious disease caused by varicella-zoster virus. The virus is airborne and can be transmitted through human contact. Once the virus gets inside the body, it becomes active and causes the infection. Most prominent symptom is rash which appears within 2 days after having the infection. Affected person can infect others 2 days before the rash appearance till shedding of all the crusts. This infection usually lasts for 10 to 12 days.
Phases of Chickenpox infections:-
1. Development of rash
2. Pink or red blisters appearing on the skin
3. Breaking and leaking of fluid filled blisters
4. Crust formation on broken blisters
Blisters may continue to appear for several days and not get healed easily after they get broken. In some cases, they may appear on anus, vagina, throat, eyes or entire body.
Chickenpox is a mild disease for most of the individuals. Vaccination has brought down the rate of complications and hospitalization.
Symptoms: - These symptoms usually appear 1 to 2 days before the appearance of rash.
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Malaise and tiredness
Diagnosis of Chickenpox is done with the help of blood tests, physical exam and culture of lesion sample. Antiviral drug like acyclovir (Zovirax) or immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) are administered for treating the infections. It is recommended not to use aspirin in this disease as it may cause Reye's syndrome..
Risk Factors:-
1. Not having chickenpox in the past
2. Not being vaccinated against this disease
3. Living with or having regular contact with children
4. Newborns and infants
5. Pregnant women who were not vaccinated
6. Impaired immune systems on account of HIV-AIDS or chemotherapy
7. Steroid medications
8. Immunosuppressant medicines
Complications: This disease is usually mild but it can cause complications in high-risk people.
1. Pneumonia
2. Toxic shock syndrome
3. Reye's syndrome in case aspirin is administered
4. Encephalitis causing inflammation of the brain.
5. Infection of bloodstream(Sepsis)
6. Bacterial infection of skin progressing to tissues and bones.
7. Chickenpox during Pregnancy:-
If Chickenpox affects pregnant women especially in early pregnancy, it can cause variety of complications in new born. The risk of premature birth, low birth weight and physical deformities increases. If it occurs in a week before birth, there is a great threat to baby's life.
8. Chickenpox and shingles:-
Both chickenpox and shingles are caused by same virus varicella-zoster virus. The virus may remain in nerve cells after the disease and may reappear in form of shingles. This risk is more in people who are older or have weakened immune system. Shingles may cause a severe condition called as postherpetic neuralgia. However, this risk can be eliminated by taking shingles vaccine (Zostavax) by older people.
Phases of Chickenpox infections:-
1. Development of rash
2. Pink or red blisters appearing on the skin
3. Breaking and leaking of fluid filled blisters
4. Crust formation on broken blisters
Blisters may continue to appear for several days and not get healed easily after they get broken. In some cases, they may appear on anus, vagina, throat, eyes or entire body.
Chickenpox is a mild disease for most of the individuals. Vaccination has brought down the rate of complications and hospitalization.
Symptoms: - These symptoms usually appear 1 to 2 days before the appearance of rash.
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Malaise and tiredness
Diagnosis of Chickenpox is done with the help of blood tests, physical exam and culture of lesion sample. Antiviral drug like acyclovir (Zovirax) or immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) are administered for treating the infections. It is recommended not to use aspirin in this disease as it may cause Reye's syndrome..
Risk Factors:-
1. Not having chickenpox in the past
2. Not being vaccinated against this disease
3. Living with or having regular contact with children
4. Newborns and infants
5. Pregnant women who were not vaccinated
6. Impaired immune systems on account of HIV-AIDS or chemotherapy
7. Steroid medications
8. Immunosuppressant medicines
Complications: This disease is usually mild but it can cause complications in high-risk people.
1. Pneumonia
2. Toxic shock syndrome
3. Reye's syndrome in case aspirin is administered
4. Encephalitis causing inflammation of the brain.
5. Infection of bloodstream(Sepsis)
6. Bacterial infection of skin progressing to tissues and bones.
7. Chickenpox during Pregnancy:-
If Chickenpox affects pregnant women especially in early pregnancy, it can cause variety of complications in new born. The risk of premature birth, low birth weight and physical deformities increases. If it occurs in a week before birth, there is a great threat to baby's life.
8. Chickenpox and shingles:-
Both chickenpox and shingles are caused by same virus varicella-zoster virus. The virus may remain in nerve cells after the disease and may reappear in form of shingles. This risk is more in people who are older or have weakened immune system. Shingles may cause a severe condition called as postherpetic neuralgia. However, this risk can be eliminated by taking shingles vaccine (Zostavax) by older people.
Source...