Chickenpox is no clucking joke
The chickenpox virus spreads quickly. If one individual gets it, up to 90% of their nearby non-immune contacts will catch it as well. Fatal cases of chickenpox have been reported in infants, pregnant women. Those with compromised immune systems and adults above the age of 50 are also at high risk.
Before the development of the vaccine, the disease is hyper-endemic in India. There is limited information on its impact in poor countries. But its morbidity and mortality may be higher than those reported in affluent nations.
Chickenpox (Varicella) epidemiology varies in temperate and tropical climes. A higher percentage of chickenpox (varicella) cases in tropical climes may affect adults. The Chickenpox vaccine came into light in the mid-1990s.
Don’t scratch that bump too much
Varicella is another name for chickenpox. A rash that develops into painful, fluid-filled blisters. Eventually becoming scabs is the typical sign of chickenpox. The chest, back, and face may initially develop the rash. It then spreads across the body and into the lips, eyelids, or genital region. Cases of more than one chickenpox infection are extremely uncommon.
The rash and other symptoms won’t appear for 7 to 21 days after the virus enters your body. Usually, contamination begins almost 48 hours before the skin rashes appear.
The following list of non-rash symptoms might persist for a few days:
· Fever
· Headache
· Appetite loss
Rashes start to appear one or two days after the first time these symptoms have appeared. Before you recover, the rash passes through three stages. These consist of:
· Your whole body begins to grow red or pink lumps
· The lumps develop into fluid-leaching blisters
· The lumps start to crust over, scab over, and heal.
The lumps won’t all be going through the same phase at once. Your infection will continue to progress with new bumps developing. The rash may be quite irritating before it crusts over with a scab.
Until all the blisters have scabbed over, there is still a chance of infection. Eventually, the crusty, scabbed patches slough off between 7 and 14 days.
Be aware of “touch me not for a while”
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox infection. The majority of infections are caused by coming into contact with an infected person.
Before your blisters develop, the virus is infectious to individuals in your vicinity for one to two days. Up until all blisters have crusted over, VZV is still infectious.
Virus transmission routes include:
· Saliva
· Coughing
· Sneezing
· Contact with fluid from the blisters.
Chickenpox can occasionally result in major issues, such as:
· Skin infections
· Dehydration (lack of enough bodily water)
· Lung infection is known as Pneumonitis
· Brain swelling.
How it spreads?
· Via respiratory droplets in the air (from sneezes or coughs)
· By saliva (kissing or shared drinks)
· By skin-to-skin contact (handshakes or hugs)
· By touching a contaminated surface
· Through pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, from mother to child.
Pox be gone!
In most cases of chickenpox, patients wait for the virus to leave their system. They are advised for bed rest, consuming lots of fluids and control of fever.
Parents will be advised to keep their kids home from crèche and school to stop the virus’s spread. Adults also who are infected must remain at home.
The itching caused by Chickenpox can be relieved by calamine lotion. A chilly bath with baking soda, and uncooked colloidal oatmeal can also help. Keep your fingernails short and restrain yourself from scratching. It will help prevent skin infections and the virus from spreading.
Additionally, you may reduce your skin’s itch by doing the following:
· Using unscented lotion
· Donning light, soft clothes
· Applying a cold, damp washcloth to especially irritating regions.
In extreme cases, antiviral medicine may be used to treat chickenpox. It depends on the patient’s age and health, the severity of the illness, and the timing of the therapy. Antiviral medication cannot treat chickenpox. They only lessen the severity of the symptoms by reducing viral activity. As a result, the body’s immune system will be able to recuperate quickly.
Some other measures that should be kept in mind if one has chickenpox are:
· Aspirin should not be given to children who have had chickenpox. It can cause Reye’s syndrome
· Avoid using ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories as pain relievers. You may become really unwell if you have chickenpox
· Drink a lot of water to aid your body in getting rid of the virus more quickly. Additionally, it will prevent dehydration
· Drinking water also helps if you have oral chickenpox. One should completely avoid sugary beverages or sodas. Popsicles without sugar are also a wonderful option
· Avoid meals that might irritate your mouth, such as hard, hot, or salty ones.
A little bit of prevention goes a long way
It’s not always the case that chickenpox is a minor illness. It is impossible to predict who would get a mild case and who will get really ill. It can occasionally be an illness that might be fatal or seriously debilitating.
When given the two recommended doses, it strengthens the immunity. Reportedly, the chickenpox vaccine prevents the disease in 98% of recipients. Between the ages of 12 and 15 months, the first shot is administered. And second dose is a booster between the ages of 4 and 6 years.
Adults and older children who haven’t had the vaccination may get catch-up doses. Those who haven’t had the shots may elect to do so later. Because chickenpox typically affects elderly people more severely.
What are the side effects?
Most kids don’t experience any negative side effects from the injection. However, some kids may experience a response. Signs and symptoms may include:
· Pain, redness, or swelling where the injection was administered
· Fever
· Mild rash
You can have Apo-Inkeft Drops, which help with the rash and Haslab Imu-V for boosting your body’s resistance.
Even though you’ve been vaccinated, you’re still susceptible to chickenpox. But, the good thing is the symptoms will be milder. With a few to no blisters, only red spots and little to no fever at all.
Shingles
Those who have had chickenpox will still have varicella-zoster virus in their nerve cells. This virus never goes away and can cause a more dangerous disease than chickenpox. The Varicella vaccine does not give protection against Shingles.
Shingles most likely appear in those who have weaker immune on in older adults. The symptoms are the same as for chickenpox only more severe. Pregnant women who get this disease can have a child born with abnormal limbs and brain development. The infection can be life-threatening for both mother and unborn child.
The treatment is also the same as in chickenpox, with calamine lotion and colloidal oatmeal baths. And a pain reliever to reduce fever. In adults, spots stop appearing by the 7th day and after 10–14 days blisters scab over.
To protect from Shingles, doctors recommend having a Shingles vaccine. There are two shingles vaccinations available: Shingrix and Zostavax. For Shingrix, 2 doses are recommended from 2–6 months apart. And for Zostavax only one dose.
Euphorbia Complex Tablets and Shingles Drops can help you with that burning & tingling pain and red rashes on your skin.
Conclusion
The good news is you cannot get Shingles from someone with Chickenpox. Yet, you can get chickenpox from a shingles patient. Don’t worry, get connected to an expert today, want to know how? Healthmug has a team of good doctors who can guide you through your difficult times. Take free consultation from the comfort of your home, visit their website at Healthmug.com or download the App.
Disclaimer: Everything offered on this blog is provided solely for learning purposes and is not meant to replace medical supervision. The reader should speak with their doctor before taking any medications to evaluate whether the material is appropriate for their circumstance because everyone has different requirements.
