What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease, which
causes a blistering rash. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella
zoster virus, which is a member of the herpes family.
How is chickenpox spread?
Chickenpox is spread in fine droplets of moisture,
which contain the virus. The droplets are produced when the infected
person coughs or sneezes, another person then inhales these droplets
and may become infected. It can also be spread by direct contact
with an infected person.
What are the symptoms of chickenpox?
Chickenpox doesn’t usually make you very
ill and the main problem is the itchy blister like rash. This rash
usually appears on the scalp or back first, then later may spread
all over the body. The rash begins as flat, red spots that become
fluid-filled blisters, which will burst, dry and crust over. The
average number of blisters is 300, but some people may have less
than 10 or more than 1000. Symptoms usually develop 10-21 days after
infection. Other symptoms of chickenpox include:
- Slight fever
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
Is chickenpox contagious?
Chickenpox is a highly contagious virus, with an incubation period of 15-20 days. Chickenpox is most
contagious the day before the rash appears and until the blisters
are all dry and crusted over (usually about 5 days). If you have
chickenpox you should avoid contact with pregnant women who have
not had chickenpox, newborn babies and people with a low immune
system (e.g. those with cancer or advanced H.I.V.),
as these people can't fight infection as well as those with a healthy
immune system.
How is chickenpox treated?
Chickenpox is a virus and therefore will not
be helped by antibiotics. Adults with chickenpox should always consult
their doctor. If your child has chickenpox and is not ill, you should
ask your pharmacist for advice. Do however phone and tell your doctor
that your child has chickenpox, he/she will then decide if they
need to see the child.
If you have chickenpox you should try and rest
and apply a soothing lotion like calamine to ease the itchiness
of the rash. If you or your child has a temperature take paracetamol
liquid to bring the temperature down and to relieve any aches and
pains.
What are the effects of chickenpox?
Children usually recover from chickenpox without
any problems. However in adults the infection may be severe or even
fatal, especially in those people with an impaired immune system
as they may go on to develop pneumonia.
If you develop chickenpox as an adult you should always consult
your doctor.
Try not to scratch the spots as this can lead
to infection and scarring. Infected blisters look very red and painful
and they may ooze a yellow or green fluid. To prevent a child from
scratching and causing infection, cut their fingernails and cover
their hands with socks or gloves, especially at night.
What is the link between chickenpox and shingles?
Once a person has had chickenpox
they will develop an immunity to it and will not contract it again. However, the virus lays dormant
in your nervous system and if you had chickenpox as a child it may
cause you to develop shingles later in life. You can only get shingles
if you have previously had chickenpox.
What is shingles?
Shingles is a painful rash, caused by an inflamed
nerve. The actual rash is similar to that of chickenpox though it
only affects one side of the body. You may also have headaches and
feel very tired and run down. Unlikle chickenpox, shingles is not
very contagious, though you should stay away from those who have
not had chickenpox.
Call your doctor if:
- You are an adult with chickenpox.
- The blisters are infected.
- You have a temperature over 101ºf (38.3ºc).
- You have been vomiting.
- You are pregnant.
- You have a stiff neck and persistent sleepiness.
- Your eyes are very sensitive to bright light.
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