Chickenpox – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!

Chickenpox – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments of this viral infection. In addition, chickenpox causes skin irritation with blisters on the skin. Chickenpox is infectious and highly contagious caused by a virus (herpesvirus varicellae or VZ).

This disease mainly affects children under 10 years of age. Chickenpox can be transmitted through droplets from one person to another by sneezing, coughing, or sharing food or objects.

Normally, our immune system protects us from infections . Chickenpox is very dangerous in people who have problems with the immune system, such as leukemia, or who are taking Medicines that weaken the immune system, such as steroids and other Medicines taken by patients who have had an organ transplant.

Chickenpox can lead to serious complications, especially in adults due to lung, brain (encephalitis) or skin risk . Children can also suffer from these complications, but they are much rarer for them. Chickenpox in a pregnant  woman can lead to fetal malformation.

Causes of Chickenpox:  Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the herpes virus family, which is also responsible for shingles ( shingles ) in adults.

Chickenpox is easily transmitted to other people. Contagion occurs through contact with the blister fluid or through coughing or sneezing. Even those who are infected and do not show symptoms of the disease can transmit it.

When someone is infected, chickenpox takes 10 to 21 days to manifest. People can transmit the virus from a day or two before the disease breaks out in the body. They remain contagious as long as crusty blisters are present.

Symptoms of Chickenpox:  Chickenpox is  easily diagnosed after approximately 15 days of the virus in the body, the most common signs of the infected person are:

• malaise;
• loss of appetite;
• Fever;
• Stomach ache and headache;
• Appearance of red blisters on the skin all over the body;
• Itching too much.
• The amount of bubbles that appear will vary from person to person, some can have up to 250 bubbles, others up to 1500.

The diagnosis of the disease takes place in the doctor’s office with a simple examination by the doctor, but in some cases a blood test is requested to prove it.

Treatments for Chickenpox: Treatments for Chickenpox generally consist of symptom therapies (when there are no serious consequences).

Medicines used in case of chickenpox, if there are no risks of complications:

• Against pain and fever: paracetamol (avoid giving aspirin to children)
• Against itching: antihistamines (based on dimetindene, decetirizine or levocetirizine) for local application (gel, cream) or for ingestion (tablets, drops,…)
• To dry, disinfect and soothe chickenpox wounds : lotions based on synthetic tannin and zinc oxide.
• In small children, in the seat area, it is also possible to apply zinc paste to protect the skin .
• To soothe the lesions and prevent superinfection, disinfectant baths.

Medicines used in case of chickenpox with risk of complications:

• First use the same Medicines advised in normal cases of Chickenpox .
• However: when there is, for example, a bacterial superinfection, which can occur when the lesions become infected after scratching them too much (in particular with dirty hands), the doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
• When there is a high risk of complications (in immunocompromised people), antivirals (eg, acyclovir-based) or type G immunoglobulins (IG) may be prescribed by your doctor.

Home treatment of chickenpox in children:

If your child  has chickenpox , do not give them any products or medicines that contain acetylsalicylic acid (ASA or Aspirin). Doing so will increase the child’s risk of developing Reye’s syndrome, a serious condition that can damage the child’s liver and brain. To control a child’s fever, use acetaminophen. Your pharmacist will be able to help you choose a fever medicine that contains acetaminophen.

The rash resulting from chickenpox is very itchy. They should take good care of the skin and make sure the child does not scratch it. If your child scratches a lot, they can get infections caused by bacteria that get into the skin . To avoid them, you can do the following:

• Cut the child’s nails very short.
• Dress the child in light clothing.
• Give the child warm water baths to help soothe the itching.
• If the child feels good, let him play and be active. This way, you will get rid of the idea of ​​itching.
• The doctor may recommend a cream that will help soothe the itching.

Here are some warning signs that the bacteria may have infected the child’s skin through a pimple:

• A new fever has arisen in the child
• Infected skin is hot to the touch
• There is pus from some infected pimple
• There is swelling and pain in the infected area
• A bacterial skin infection should be treated by a doctor.