Chickenpox by Autumn Arnold

Early Symptoms of Chickenpox Virus

abarnold02 — 2024-11-30 00:50:57 UTC

Symptoms such as a fever, headache, tiredness, and loss of appetite generally appear one to two days before the rash will begin to show.

Symptoms of Chickenpox

abarnold02 — 2024-11-30 02:35:39 UTC

Chickenpox generally last four to seven days. One common symptom is a rash that turns into blisters filled with fluid that will scab over eventually. The rash usually appear on the face, back, and chest first. It may spread to the entire body including inside the mouth, eyelids, or genital area. The blisters generally scab over in approximately one week.

Who Needs to Vaccinate

abarnold02 — 2024-11-30 02:37:23 UTC

Doctors recommend children receive two doses of the Chickenpox vaccination. It is also recommended for adolescents and adults who have never had Chickenpox to receive two doses to the vaccination as well.

Breakthrough Cases

abarnold02 — 2024-11-30 02:47:11 UTC

Some vaccinated individuals will still have breakthrough cases but they will have much milder symptoms with possibly no or very few blisters and possibly no or very low fever.

Serious Complications

abarnold02 — 2024-11-30 02:53:17 UTC

Serious complications are generally not common in healthy individuals. Complications can be bacterial skin infections including strepotoccal infections, pneunomonia, infection or swelling of the brain such as as cerebellar ataxia and encephalitis, sepsis, dehydration, or bleeding problems including hemorrhagic complications. These complications are much more rare today in the United States due to the Chickenpox vaccination.

Individuals At Risk

abarnold02 — 2024-11-30 03:00:50 UTC

People that are at higher risk for complications due to Chickenpox are pregnant women, babies, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

abarnold02 — 2024-11-30 03:05:26 UTC

The best treatment for Chickenpox is prevention and that means getting the vaccine. To help treat the rash, calamine lotion or a cool bath with baking soda or oatmeal will help alleviate the itch and rash.

abarnold02 — 2024-11-30 03:15:24 UTC

Acetaminophen is the best choice to use for Chickenpox. It is the only one recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

DO NOT USE ASPIRIN with Chickenpox. It has been found to be associated with Reye's Syndrome, a severe disease that affects the liver and brain and can cause death.

Ibuprofen has been associated with life threatening bacterial skin infections.

abarnold02 — 2024-11-30 03:20:59 UTC

https://cdc.gov/chickenpox

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/vaccine-preventable-diseases/Pages/Varicella-ChickenPox.aspx

https://publications.aap.org/pediatricsinreview/article-abstract/44/8/474/192806/Varicella?redirectedFrom=fulltext

When to Call the Doctor

abarnold02 — 2024-11-30 03:27:01 UTC

Generally, Chickenpox can be treated at home and is generally not a life threatening illness unless someone is at risk. It is important to call the doctor immediately if the person with Chickenpox shows any of the following:

fever above 102 F or 38.9 C
difficulty waking up, walking, breathing or confused behavior
stiff neck
frequent vomiting
severe cough or abdominal pain

Chickenpox Information

abarnold02 — 2024-11-30 03:32:39 UTC

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). Humans are the only ones that carry the VZV virus. It is spread mainly through close contact with someone who has the chickenpox. Chickenpox is mainly recognized by the itch blister-like rashes that usually last four to seven days. Children usually miss approximately five to six days of school or daycare due to chickenpox. Once someone has contracted the chickenpox, the person generally has immunity for life. It is rare for someone to have it more than once.