Chickenpox Overview
Chickenpox is a very infectious infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever. Chickenpox can be grave, particularly in babies, adults, and people with damaged immune systems. It multiplies easily from contaminated people to others who have never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox spreads in the air through coughing or sneezing. It can also be multiply by touching or breathing in the virus particles that come from chickenpox blisters.
Chickenpox Symptoms
The typical symptom of chickenpox is a rash that transforms into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that ultimately roll into scabs. The rash may first to give you an idea about disease, it pops up on the face, chest, and back then spread to the rest of the body, including inside the mouth, eyelids, or genital area. It generally takes about one week for all the blisters to become scabs. Chickenpox lasts about 5-10 days. Other typical symptoms that may begin to appear 1-2 days before rash include:-
- High Fever
- Tiredness
- Loss of Appetite
- Headache
Prevention of Chickenpox
The greatest method to avoid chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccine. Children, adolescents, and adults should have two doses of chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox vaccine is very secure and helpful at thwarting the disease. The majority of populace who get the vaccine will not get chickenpox. If a vaccinated person does get chickenpox, it is generally gentle, with fewer blisters and meek or no fever. The chickenpox vaccine foils almost all cases of severe disease.
Treatment of Chickenpox
There is no precise treatment for chickenpox, but there are pharmacy remedies which can lessen symptoms, such as paracetamol to mitigate fever and calamine lotion and soothing gels to ease itching. In most children, the blisters crust up and fall off naturally within one to two weeks. For young babies or children with immunity problems, always seek medical advice. Keep your child’s hands clean and their fingernails short. Try to discourage them from scratching the spots, as they can scar. In severe cases, antiviral treatment may be recommended. After infection the virus lies dormant in the body.
Risk Factors for Chickenpox
Chickenpox has a propensity to have an effect on children under ten. The majority of children have had the infection by this age. In older children and adults, chickenpox can be more severe. It’s more widespread in late winter and spring. Children who are immune-suppressed (for example, on steroids) are particularly vulnerable to complications, as are newborn babies who may grab the infection from their mother in late pregnancy.
Chickenpox Vaccine
Chickenpox Vaccine can prevent Chickenpox. Most people who get Chickenpox Vaccine will not get Chickenpox. Nevertheless, if someone who has been vaccinated does get Chickenpox, it is usually very mild. They will have fewer blisters, are less likely to have a fever, and will recover faster. Children who have never had chickenpox should get 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine at these ages:
- 1st Dose: 12-15 months of age
- 2nd Dose: 4-6 years of age (may be given earlier, if at least 3 months after the 1st dose)
People 13 years of age and older (who have never had chickenpox or received chickenpox vaccine) should get two doses at least 28 days apart.
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