Growing up you always hear about the problems and complications there are dealing with the chicken pox. Even in T.V shows and movies people depict the illness as getting red bumps and itchiness. A summary from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention: Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever. Chickenpox can be serious, especially in babies, adults, and people with weakened immune systems. The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccine.
The bad thing is, even if you have gotten the vaccination you still have a chance of getting the chicken pox. Some symptoms to look out for are a fever, tiredness, headache, and loss of appetite. And no, just because you have those symptoms doesn’t mean you have chicken pox. The big sign to look for is a rash that becomes itchy and will turn into blisters. You may start to see the rash on the back, chest, or face at first and it will then spread to other parts of the body such as the mouth, eyelids, or genital area.
Some groups of people who may get a serious case of the chicken pox include infants, adolescents, and people with weakened immune systems. Serious complications from chickenpox include; bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues in children including Group A streptococcal infections, pneumonia, infection or inflammation of the brain (encephalitis, cerebellar ataxia), bleeding problems, blood stream infections (sepsis), and dehydration. It’s important to watch younger who may develop a case of severe chicken pox. It could end up being life threatening for them.
Per the CDC the best way to prevent chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccine. Children, adolescents, and adults should get two doses of chickenpox vaccine. The chickenpox vaccine is very safe and effective at preventing the disease. Most people who get the vaccine will not get chickenpox. If a vaccinated person does get chickenpox, it is usually mild—with fewer red spots or blisters and mild or no fever. The chickenpox vaccine prevents almost all cases of severe disease. There are also treatments at home that can help people with the illness. Putting calamine lotion on the rash or oatmeal baths, may help with the itching. It’s also suggested not to scratch at the rash as it can cause an infection and prolong the healing of the blisters.
Suggestions for over the counter medications are non- aspirin medicines such as acetaminophen to help with the fever. Do not use aspirin or aspirin-containing products to relieve fever from chickenpox. The use of aspirin in children with chickenpox has been associated with Reye’s syndrome, a severe disease that affects the liver and brain and can cause death.
Some people are more likely to have a serious case of chickenpox. Call a health care provider if
1. the person at risk of serious complications:
o is less than 1-year-old
o is older than 12 years of age
o has a weakened immune system
o is pregnant, or
2. develops any of the following symptoms:
o fever that lasts longer than 4 days
o fever that rises above 102°F (38.9°C)
o any areas of the rash or any part of the body becomes very red, warm, or tender, or begins leaking pus (thick, discolored fluid), since these symptoms may indicate a bacterial infection
o extreme illness
o difficult waking up or confused demeanor
o difficulty walking
o stiff neck
o frequent vomiting
o difficulty breathing
o severe cough
o severe abdominal pain
o rash with bleeding or bruising (hemorrhagic rash)
References
Chickenpox (Varicella). (2016, April 11). Retrieved February 26, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/
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