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Chickenpox usually
occurs in childhood and
confers life immunity
against further attack.
The incidence is most
common within the 5 to
10 year old age group.
However, the condition
can also be acquired at
any age – even up to
sixties. The
course of the disease
takes 2 to 3 weeks from
incubation to recovery.
The infection is caused
by the Varicella zoster
virus. A person
who is coming down with
chickenpox is infectious
from a day or two before
the rash appears until
the last blister has
crusted. The
extent of the rash
varies from person to
person. Some have only a
few spots, while others
have them all over the
body. The
infection is spread
through the air (via
droplets in coughing and
sneezing) and by direct
contact with the
ruptured skin blisters.
The person should remain
at home until all the
scabs have been sloughed
off.
Although a single attack
gives lifelong immunity,
the virus does not
actually leave the body
completely. It may
remain dormant in the
nerve tissues and
reappear later in life
as
shingles.
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Signs and
Symptoms of
Chickenpox |
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The appearance of a
rash is usually the
first sign of
chickenpox.
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Fever and feeling of
malaise (headache,
backache, sore
throat, weakness,
etc) may occur for a
couple of days
before the rash
appears.
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Once the rash
appears, new crops
of blisters is
expected over the
next 3 to 5 days.
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The rash of
chickenpox begins as
small, very itchy
red spots and there
may be a slightly
raised temperature
at this stage.
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Spots usually appear
on the front of the
body and may then spread
to the face, neck,
behind the ears,
upper arms and legs,
and even inside the
mouth in some cases.
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Red spots become
filled with clear
fluid (blisters)
within a day or so
of appearing.
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Scabs, which are the
last phase of the
pox, are formed 5 to
6 days after the
blisters develop.
They eventually fall
off after one to two
weeks.
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If the temperature
is raised,
anti-fever medicine
may be served to
bring down the
temperature and
reduce discomfort.
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Increase the intake
of liquids to stay
well hydrated.
The person should
drink plenty of
whatever appeals to
him – plain water,
fruit juice or milk.
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Dab calamine lotion
to the rash to give
some relief from
itching.
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Frequent tepid bath
helps to reduce the
irritation and also
soothe the pain.
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After bathing,
gently pat the body
dry with a towel.
Do not rub.
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Advise on NO
SCRATCHING.
Scratching can cause
the spot to become
infected and hence
takes longer time to
clear than usual.
Furthermore, it
may leave permanent
scars.
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The person
fingernails should
kept short and clean
during this phase of
acute irritation.
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Wear cotton gloves
at night to prevent
accidental
scratching while
sleeping.
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Do not break a
blister or peel off
a scab before the
new skin has formed
underneath.
This can spread the
viral infection, as
well as causing
secondary bacterial
infection and
scarring. If a
scab is extra-thick
and refuse to drop
off or skin begins
to form around, soak
in warm water to soften it.
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Wear loose clothing
that permits air
circulation because
a warm, moist
environment fosters
infections of all
kinds.
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Provide foods that
are cold, soft, and
bland because
chickenpox in the
mouth may make
drinking or eating
difficult.
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Keep the person away
from the public
places until all the
blisters have dried
up.
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After the chickenpox
has cleared, the
areas where blisters
have healed are more
tender; the new skin
can get burn and
scar easily if not
protected from the
sun. Apply a
good sun block to
protect the skin.
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