Chicken pox

What is it?

Chicken pox is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The immune system makes antibodies during the infection. These fight the virus and then provide lifelong immunity. Therefore, it is rare to have more than one bout of chickenpox.

Most people have chicken pox as a child. About 9 in 10 people have had it by the age of 15. It is uncommon for adults to have chickenpox.

See your doctor to diagnose it and then just keep them at home, making sure they drink plenty of fluids and stop them scratching spots, as that could leave scarring.

The worst of the rash is gone in around 7 days.

90% of kids have had chicken pox by the age of 15.

Most children get chicken pox and make a complete recovery within seven to 10 days, although the spots may take longer to fade. Your child may have been feeling under the weather for a couple of weeks before the first spots appear, usually on their stomach. This is called the incubation period. Chicken pox spreads quickly and can affect anywhere on the body, even the mouth and eyes. Your child will develop fluid-filled blisters that are extremely itchy and look awful. But don’t worry, just cover the spots with calamine lotion to calm the itching.

Chicken pox causes a rash and can make you feel generally unwell. Symptoms tend to be worse in adults than children. Treatment aims to ease symptoms until the illness goes. Full recovery is usual. Serious complications are rare, but are more common in adults than children and are more likely to occur in people with a poor immune system such as those on chemotherapy.

What if my child doesn’t get it?

If you get it as an adult the symptoms tend to be a bit more serious and last longer. It can be serious if you get it when pregnant. Many adults get shingles, which is caused by the same virus.

What is the treatment for chickenpox?

Treatment aims to ease symptoms whilst your immune system fights the virus.

Have plenty to drink to avoid dehydration.

Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease fever, headaches, and aches and pains.

Crotamiton lotion or cream put on the spots may ease itching.

Antihistamine tablets or liquid medicine taken at bedtime may help you to sleep if itch is a problem at night. You can buy these at pharmacies, or get them on prescription.

Antiviral medication is used in special circumstances where chickenpox can be more serious. For example, people who have a poor immune system, newborn babies, and in some cases of chickenpox in pregnant women.

What are the symptoms of chickenpox?

Symptoms are usually more severe in adults than in children. You can expect to have a few uncomfortable days.

Fever (temperature), aches and headache often start a day or so before a rash appears.

Rash. Spots appear in crops. The spots develop into small blisters and are itchy. They can be anywhere on the body and sometimes also in the mouth. Several crops may develop over several days. Some people are covered in spots, others have only a few.

Dry cough, sore throat, and feeling sick are common.

The fever and generally feeling unwell can last several days. The blisters gradually dry up and scab. They slowly fade over a week or so, but may take 2-3 weeks to go completely. A dry cough may persist for a while after all the other symptoms have gone.

Are there any complications?

The spots do not usually scar unless they are badly scratched.

In some cases, some spots become infected with bacteria. If this occurs the surrounding skin becomes red and sore. Antibiotics may then be needed.

Inflammation of the lung (pneumonia) is a rare complication affecting about 1 in 100 adults with chickenpox.

Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) is a very rare complication.

I hope all above Health Care Tips about Chicken pox for Children will be helpful to you in future.

Source Link:- http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/health/184352/Kids–health—common-conditions–Chicken-pox