Most children get chicken pox and make a complete recovery within seven to 10 days, although the chicken pox spots may take longer to fade. Your child may have been feeling under the weather for a couple of weeks before the first chicken pox 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.
Even though there is now a vaccine available for chicken pox some people neglect to get their children vaccinated or a very small percentage may still get them even after being vaccinated. Chicken pox is very contagious and is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It can be spread by the air, direct contact with an infected person or contaminated droplets that may have been expelled with a sneeze or a cough.
If your child does develop chicken pox they will be covered with hundreds of itchy red blisters that will later break and then forming a crusty covering. They will normally show up on the face first, and then spread to the stomach area, the scalp and then the rest of the body. The blisters will usually break a day or so after they show up. However it's the itching that drives people crazy, as it can be quite intense. In some cases it may leave scars for life.
To relieve the itching you should apply a prescribed lotion along with an oral antihistamine. You can also give the child some relief by bathing them in warm water and oatmeal.
If your child has been exposed to chicken pox they will normally develop symptoms within 48 hrs but it's usually 10-20 days later that the poxes will start appearing. Other symptoms include headache, fever, loss of appetite, stomach pain and then of course the pox rash. The doctor can determine a diagnosis by taking a sample of the blisters or a blood test.
Once a person has had the chicken pox they will carry the virus with them for life but the immune system will keep it under control to prevent a reoccurrence. If a mother has already had chicken pox sometimes a baby will get partial immunity from her. If a child who got the chicken pox vaccine still gets them they will have a milder case than they would other wise. Since the vaccine became available there has been far less cases of chicken pox reported. Young children under the age of 10 are more likely to get chicken pox, but even so, older children or adults can still get them and if they do it usually hits them harder than it would a younger child.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
chickenpox and body
Chickenpox was once considered a rite of passage for most children. The red, itchy rash is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is part of a group of viruses called herpesviruses. Because chickenpox is so contagious, 90% of a patient's family also will develop the illness if they live in the same house and are not already immune. About one of every 100 children infected with chickenpox will develop a severe lung infection (pneumonia), an infection of the brain (encephalitis), or a problem with the liver. Adolescents and adults who develop chickenpox are also at high risk of developing serious complications. After a person has chickenpox, the virus typically lives silently in the nervous system of the body for the rest of a person's life. It may reactivate (come to life again) at any time when the body's immune defenses are weakened by stress or illness (such as cancer or HIV infection) or by medications that weaken the immune system. Reactivation of the virus causes a condition called shingles, a painful blistering skin rash that typically occurs on the face, chest or back, in the same area where one or two of the body's sensory nerves travel.
Chickenpox is a common illness among kids, particularly those under age 12. Chickenpox is caused by a virus called the varicella-zoster virus (varicella is the medical name for chickenpox). Chickenpox spreads in tiny droplets of saliva and nasal mucus, by sneezes and coughs from an infected person. The virus is already in these droplets, which is why it spreads so fast. Chickenpox causes a red, itchy rash on the skin that usually appears first on the abdomen or back and face, and then spreads to almost everywhere else on the body, including the scalp, mouth, nose, ears, and genitals.
The rash begins as dual tiny, crimson bumps that seem like pimples or worm bites. They produce into thin-walled blisters filled with clear-cut fluid, which becomes cloudy. The blister fence breaks, leaving available sores, which eventually crust over to get arid, brown scabs. Chickenpox blisters are normally little than a fourth of an inch wide, have a crimson home, and seem in bouts over 2 to 4 days. Chickenpox is extremely infectious and is scatter through the atmosphere when contaminated folk coughing or sneeze, or through physiological link with fluid from lesions on the rind. Chickenpox is seldom deadly (normally from varicella pneumonia.
With pregnant women and those with a suppressed immune system being more at risk. Chickenpox occurs in approximately three in every 1,000 pregnancies, and can cause serious complications for both you and your child. The most common complication of chicken pox is shingles, this is most frequently a late effect. Chickenpox is a mild illness, but can affect some infants, teens, adults, and people with weak immune systems more severely. Some people can develop serious bacterial infections involving the skin, lungs, bones, joints, and the brain (encephalitis). People with a weak immune system, such as those with acute or chronic leukaemia or HIV.
A chickenpox vaccine can help prevent most cases of chickenpox. If you or your child is in pain, or has a fever, then you can give them a mild painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. The antiviral medicine acyclovir may be prescribed for people with chickenpox who are at risk for complications. Avoid scratching the blisters because of the risk of infection. Using cool wet compresses or giving baths in cool or lukewarm water every 3 to 4 hours for the first few days. Never use aspirin to reduce pain or fever in children with chickenpox because aspirin has been associated with the serious disease Reye syndrome. Chickenpox is a common illness among kids, particularly those under age 12. Chickenpox is caused by a virus called the varicella-zoster virus (varicella is the medical name for chickenpox). Chickenpox spreads in tiny droplets of saliva and nasal mucus, by sneezes and coughs from an infected person. The virus is already in these droplets, which is why it spreads so fast. Chickenpox causes a red, itchy rash on the skin that usually appears first on the abdomen or back and face, and then spreads to almost everywhere else on the body, including the scalp, mouth, nose, ears, and genitals.
The rash begins as dual tiny, crimson bumps that seem like pimples or worm bites. They produce into thin-walled blisters filled with clear-cut fluid, which becomes cloudy. The blister fence breaks, leaving available sores, which eventually crust over to get arid, brown scabs. Chickenpox blisters are normally little than a fourth of an inch wide, have a crimson home, and seem in bouts over 2 to 4 days. Chickenpox is extremely infectious and is scatter through the atmosphere when contaminated folk coughing or sneeze, or through physiological link with fluid from lesions on the rind. Chickenpox is seldom deadly (normally from varicella pneumonia.
With pregnant women and those with a suppressed immune system being more at risk. Chickenpox occurs in approximately three in every 1,000 pregnancies, and can cause serious complications for both you and your child. The most common complication of chicken pox is shingles, this is most frequently a late effect. Chickenpox is a mild illness, but can affect some infants, teens, adults, and people with weak immune systems more severely. Some people can develop serious bacterial infections involving the skin, lungs, bones, joints, and the brain (encephalitis). People with a weak immune system, such as those with acute or chronic leukaemia or HIV.
A chickenpox vaccine can help prevent most cases of chickenpox. If you or your child is in pain, or has a fever, then you can give them a mild painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. The antiviral medicine acyclovir may be prescribed for people with chickenpox who are at risk for complications. Avoid scratching the blisters because of the risk of infection. Using cool wet compresses or giving baths in cool or lukewarm water every 3 to 4 hours for the first few days. Never use aspirin to reduce pain or fever in children with chickenpox because aspirin has been associated with the serious disease Reye syndrome.
Chickenpox is a common illness among kids, particularly those under age 12. Chickenpox is caused by a virus called the varicella-zoster virus (varicella is the medical name for chickenpox). Chickenpox spreads in tiny droplets of saliva and nasal mucus, by sneezes and coughs from an infected person. The virus is already in these droplets, which is why it spreads so fast. Chickenpox causes a red, itchy rash on the skin that usually appears first on the abdomen or back and face, and then spreads to almost everywhere else on the body, including the scalp, mouth, nose, ears, and genitals.
The rash begins as dual tiny, crimson bumps that seem like pimples or worm bites. They produce into thin-walled blisters filled with clear-cut fluid, which becomes cloudy. The blister fence breaks, leaving available sores, which eventually crust over to get arid, brown scabs. Chickenpox blisters are normally little than a fourth of an inch wide, have a crimson home, and seem in bouts over 2 to 4 days. Chickenpox is extremely infectious and is scatter through the atmosphere when contaminated folk coughing or sneeze, or through physiological link with fluid from lesions on the rind. Chickenpox is seldom deadly (normally from varicella pneumonia.
With pregnant women and those with a suppressed immune system being more at risk. Chickenpox occurs in approximately three in every 1,000 pregnancies, and can cause serious complications for both you and your child. The most common complication of chicken pox is shingles, this is most frequently a late effect. Chickenpox is a mild illness, but can affect some infants, teens, adults, and people with weak immune systems more severely. Some people can develop serious bacterial infections involving the skin, lungs, bones, joints, and the brain (encephalitis). People with a weak immune system, such as those with acute or chronic leukaemia or HIV.
A chickenpox vaccine can help prevent most cases of chickenpox. If you or your child is in pain, or has a fever, then you can give them a mild painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. The antiviral medicine acyclovir may be prescribed for people with chickenpox who are at risk for complications. Avoid scratching the blisters because of the risk of infection. Using cool wet compresses or giving baths in cool or lukewarm water every 3 to 4 hours for the first few days. Never use aspirin to reduce pain or fever in children with chickenpox because aspirin has been associated with the serious disease Reye syndrome. Chickenpox is a common illness among kids, particularly those under age 12. Chickenpox is caused by a virus called the varicella-zoster virus (varicella is the medical name for chickenpox). Chickenpox spreads in tiny droplets of saliva and nasal mucus, by sneezes and coughs from an infected person. The virus is already in these droplets, which is why it spreads so fast. Chickenpox causes a red, itchy rash on the skin that usually appears first on the abdomen or back and face, and then spreads to almost everywhere else on the body, including the scalp, mouth, nose, ears, and genitals.
The rash begins as dual tiny, crimson bumps that seem like pimples or worm bites. They produce into thin-walled blisters filled with clear-cut fluid, which becomes cloudy. The blister fence breaks, leaving available sores, which eventually crust over to get arid, brown scabs. Chickenpox blisters are normally little than a fourth of an inch wide, have a crimson home, and seem in bouts over 2 to 4 days. Chickenpox is extremely infectious and is scatter through the atmosphere when contaminated folk coughing or sneeze, or through physiological link with fluid from lesions on the rind. Chickenpox is seldom deadly (normally from varicella pneumonia.
With pregnant women and those with a suppressed immune system being more at risk. Chickenpox occurs in approximately three in every 1,000 pregnancies, and can cause serious complications for both you and your child. The most common complication of chicken pox is shingles, this is most frequently a late effect. Chickenpox is a mild illness, but can affect some infants, teens, adults, and people with weak immune systems more severely. Some people can develop serious bacterial infections involving the skin, lungs, bones, joints, and the brain (encephalitis). People with a weak immune system, such as those with acute or chronic leukaemia or HIV.
A chickenpox vaccine can help prevent most cases of chickenpox. If you or your child is in pain, or has a fever, then you can give them a mild painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. The antiviral medicine acyclovir may be prescribed for people with chickenpox who are at risk for complications. Avoid scratching the blisters because of the risk of infection. Using cool wet compresses or giving baths in cool or lukewarm water every 3 to 4 hours for the first few days. Never use aspirin to reduce pain or fever in children with chickenpox because aspirin has been associated with the serious disease Reye syndrome.
Chicken pox in young children.Preventing chicken pox
Chicken pox is a serious and highly contagious disease that can occur in children and adults. Although there is a vaccine available, chickenpox still sometimes occurs in vaccinated persons. Here is some information about the causes, symptoms and treatments of chicken pox. With Chicken Pox there are red spots and blisters, and an itchy rash all over the child's body. This usually causes the discomfort during this process. The chickenpox vaccine helps prevent them, although it is still possible to get the chickenpox after getting it. A person usually only gets the chickenpox once in their life. It usually isn't too serious in persons with good immune systems. It can be more threatening in sicker individuals or persons with chronic illnesses. Causes of Chicken Pox The varicella-zoster virus is what causes chickenpox. A highly contagious disease, it is easily spread in a number of ways. One can spread the illness by coughing, sneezing, sharing your meal or drink, and by touching fluid excreted out of a chickenpox blister. The easiest time to spread chickenpox is two to three days before it appears on the skin until the pox have all scabbed up. Symptoms There are many symptoms associated with the chickenpox. The first couple noticeable symptoms are fever, sore throat, and a headache. Also, your child might be very tired or may not eat as much, they may have a stomachache or it might seem as though they just have a normal cold. Sometimes chickenpox occurs without any symptoms at all. After all of the blisters have scabbed over it is safe for you child to go back to school. This usually takes about 10 days. Treatment Most chickenpox treatment is done at home. For healthy people this would include: taking baths in oatmeal to lessen itching, a lot of resting, and taking medicine prescribed by a doctor. For unhealthy people they would need immunoglobulin treatment or antiviral medications. The chickenpox can be harsh on pregnant women. If there are other children in the house it is more than likely they will contract the virus too because of close contact. Try and keep other children and adults as far away from the sick person as possible to reduce likelihood of contracting the illness. You can prevent the chicken pox by getting the vaccine while you are a child. It is recommended that you get two doses. In rare cases after getting the vaccine some have still gotten the chicken pox, and some have gotten it twice. Exposing your children to chicken pox is not the ideal thing to do. Some parents have exposed their child to it when they were younger because they have been told it is safer to get as a child, but this is not always true. Chickenpox in younger children has been linked to many other serious problems.
Chicken pox preventing.How Can I Prevent Chickenpox?
As a disease chicken pox is considered not to be very harmful to a healthy patient. Recent studies have although showed that it is the leading death bringer compared to measles, mumps, whooping cough and Haemophilus influenzae type B meningitis.
Some 14,000 people are admitted each year into hospitals for chickenpox, 60% of them being children. From 1000 individuals only 5 require hospitalization, and in the worst of cases this disease can prove to be fatal. The type of people witch are at the greatest risk of dying from this disease are actually adults, followed by infants, but from the 100 patients to die from chickenpox 40 were still children. A vaccine could be used to prevent all of these, however recent studies have shown that the number of patients is the same in hospitals.
One of the good aspects of the disease is the fact that it actually gives immunity to the body making the chance of getting ill again from this very slim. Aside from itching a few rare complications might appear in patients.
20% of people who have had chicken-pox might later on in their lives suffer from a reactivation of shingles.
Itching, being the most common complication of the varicella infection, can be easily alleviated with some simple home made remedies.
Secondary Infection and Scarring may also appear; small scars usually remain after the falling of the scabs but this doesn’t last long, the scars clearing up after a few month. In the case of itching there is an all other problem, Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria sometimes causing infection in the patient. Children are the most in danger of this kind of complication because of the simple fact that they are more likely to scratch. Also in children another rare complication would be year infection leading sometimes to hearing loss.
Bacterial Superinfection is the most common serious complication of chickenpox being caused by group A streptococcus. Although mild and not very dangerous its spreading to muscle, fat or even the blood can lead to life threatening situations such as the necrotizing fasciitis (the so-called flesh-eating bacteria) but this is still very rare. Persistent or recurring high fever, redness, pain, and swelling in the skin and in the tissue beneath and even pneumonia are some of the symptoms. In the case of pneumonia the most likely people to suffer complications are pregnant women, smokers, and those with serious medical conditions, serious complications appearing in some cases caused by varicella: lung scaring that makes the patient’s breathing very difficult.
More complications would even be brain and central nervous system damage or even strokes, but as said they are extremely rare.
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