| Definition
|
Chicken
Pox is an infectious disease caused by the Varicella Zoster
virus. |
| Season
|
Late winter and
spring. |
| Susceptibility
|
Most people
are infected as children. |
| Symptoms |
| 1 |
Slight fever, malaise |
| 2 |
Loss of appetite |
| 3 |
Flat red spots which
turn into pimples, then assume a blister form, then forma crust
and later scabs. New crops continue to develop for 3-4 days,
mostly on the body (usually the trunk and back) |
|
| Cause
|
Varicella Zoster
Virus. |
| Transmission
|
Airborne - through
droplets from person to person. |
| Contagious Period
|
Droplets are
contagious from 1-2 days before onset, until all the lessions are scabbed. |
| Incubation
Period |
Usually from 14-16
days, but the range can be from 11-20 days also.
|
| Duration
|
| 1. |
First the red spots
appear, soon form pimples (within 24 hours), and then the vesicle stage. |
| 2. |
The vesicle
(blister) crust in 6-8 hours. Scabs form from 24-48 hours. Scabs last for 5-20 days. |
|
| Treatment
|
| 1. |
Call the
doctor immediately to confirm the diagnosis. |
| 2. |
Treatment should be
given for itching and fever (do not give aspirin). |
| 3. |
Avoid Corticosteroids
completely. |
|
| Prevention
|
| 1. |
Varicella vaccine can
be given to children. |
| 2. |
Avoid exposure to high
risk children and non immunised mothers. |
|
| Recurrence
|
An attack of Chicken
Pox in childhood gives a
life-long immunity, though the dominant virus may flare up as
Shingles (Herpes zoster) later on in life. |
| Complications
|
| 1. |
Encephalitis - which
is rare. |
| 2. |
In
expectant mothers , there is a possible risk to the foetus. A doctor
should be contacted if such an exposure
occurs. |
|
