When someone says chickenpox we all remember the rash, the bumps, the fever and the itch.

Probably 90% of us was diagnosed with chickenpox during childhood.

Others later.

Chickenpox is widely known and easily spread.

Chickenpox is caused by varicella-zoster virus. (VZV).

VZV is an alpha herpes virus that causes chickenpox and herpes zoster (shingles).

It is usually transmitted through respiratory tract.

The most common mode of transmission is by person-to-person contact with infected respiratory tract secretions.

Chickenpox is an acute infectious disease, highly contagious, caused by varicella-zooster virus.

There is evidence of chickenpox since ancient times.

The term chickenpox was used for the first time in 1691. The virus can be spread from person to person by direct contact, inhalation of aerosols from vesicular fluid of skin lesions of acute varicella-zoster, and possibly through infected respiratory secretions that also may be aerosolized.

A person with varicella is considered contagious beginning one to two days before rash onset until all the chickenpox lesions have crusted.

It takes from 10 to 21 days after exposure to the virus for someone to develop varicella. Based on studies of transmission among household members, about 90% of susceptible close contacts will get varicella after exposure to a person with disease.

How does a person with chickenpox look like?

At the very beginning small red bumps appear on the skin. Bumps later change to blisters or pimples. Then they change to open sores and finally they scrub over.  Rash is all over the body. Most often, starts on the head and back. Sores (ulcers) can also occur in the mouth, on eyelids, and on genitals. Fever is most often present. The more the rash, the higher the fever.

Which are the symptoms of chickenpox?

Symptoms are usually mild among children, but may be life-threatening to infants, adults and people with weak immune systems.

Is there any available treatment for chickenpox?

There is not a specific treatment for chickenpox but there are ways to relieve its symptoms.

The first thing that you should do is relieving the itch:

– use calamine lotion.

– take a baking soda bath.

– take an oatmeal bath.

Sometimes your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine to relieve itching.

Avoid scratching to prevent the virus from spreading.

Use paracetamol to relieve fever. Do NOT use aspirin for children. If fever lasts more than 4 days call your doctor.

Sometimes to avoid complications a healthcare provider may recommend an antiviral medicine such as acyclovir.

When chickenpox is combined with a bacterial infection you should consult the doctor to take the best treatment.

Talk with your doctor before giving any type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to someone who has chickenpox. Some studies suggest this type of medication may lead to skin infections or tissue damage.

Interesting questions and answers

1. How can chickenpox be prevented?

The most effective way to prevent chickenpox is by getting chickenpox vaccine. Most people who get the vaccine will not have chickenpox. But, even if they have it the symptoms are milder.

If you are not vaccinated, to not get infected avoid direct contact with infected people.

2. Can a pregnant women get chickenpox?

Yes a pregnant women can get chickenpox if exposed. Having chickenpox during pregnancy can be dangerous and can cause some complications.

If chickenpox develops during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, particularly between weeks eight and 20 the baby faces a slight risk of a rare group of serious birth defects known as congenital varicella syndrome. A baby who has congenital varicella syndrome might develop skin scarring, and eye, brain, limb and gastrointestinal abnormalities.

If chickenpox develops during the few days before you deliver to 48 hours postpartum, the baby might be born with a potentially life-threatening infection called neonatal varicella.

If you are pregnant and you suspect that you have chickepox you should seek immediately medical advise.

3. Is it ok to take a bath during chickenpox?

Taking a bath will not spread the virus from one part of the body to another. Taking a bath and to be more specific an oatmeal bath can be soothing and itch relieving.

Do not scrub while bathing.

Use warm water not hot water.

Sometimes to relieve itching, you and your child can take baking soda baths, up to three times per day.

4. Is chickenpox a childhood disease?

No it is not. Chickenpox can occur in adults too. Chickenpox symptoms are more severe in adults.

5. Is chickenpox a disease that you develop only once?

This is partially true. Most people get chickenpox only once in lifetime, but not all.

https://goodyfeed.com/10-misconceptions-chickenpox-everyone-know/https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/hcp/index.html