Chicken Pox
Also known as: Varicella
What is it?
Chicken pox, also called varicella, is an
extremely infectious disease that produces an
itchy, blistery rash that lasts about a week. A
single attack of chicken pox usually provides
lifelong immunity against the disease.
Who gets it?
Before the development of the chicken pox
vaccine, approximately four million children in
the United States contracted the disease each
year. Chicken pox can strike at any age, but about
80 to 90 percent of children in the U.S. have had
it by age ten. Adults account for less than five
percent of all cases, because almost every case of
chicken pox provides lifelong immunity to the
disease. Adults are much more likely than children
to suffer dangerous complications and account for
more than half of all chicken pox deaths.
What causes it?
Chicken pox is caused by the varicella-zoster
virus, a member of the herpes virus family. The
disease is spread through the air or by direct
contact with an infected person.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of chicken pox include a mild fever
and a feeling of unwellness. Within several hours
or days, small red spots begin to appear on the
scalp, neck and upper half of the body. After 12
to 24 hours, the spots become itch, fluid-filled
bumps which continue to appear for the next two to
five days. In some cases, the spots may also be
found inside the mouth, nose, ears, vagina, or
rectum. After the blisters form, scabs develop and
fall off. Scarring usually does not occur unless
the blisters have been scratched and become
infected. Occasionally a minor and temporary
darkening of the skin (called hyperpigmentation)
develops around some of the blisters.
For most people, chicken pox is no more than a few
days of discomfort. However, some people are at
risk for developing complications such as
bacterial infections of the blisters, pneumonia,
dehydration, encephalitis and hepatitis. The risk
of complications is much higher among infants less
than one year of age and adults.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis is usually made at home or by a
doctor over the phone. However, a doctor should be
immediately contacted if fever is very high, takes
more than four days to disappear, or if the
blisters become infected (yellow pus, spreading
redness, red streaks). In addition, a doctor
should be contacted if the infected person seems
nervous or confused, complains of a stiff neck or
severe headache, has poor balance or trouble
walking, is sensitive to light, is having
breathing problems or is coughing a lot, is
complaining of chest pain, is vomiting repeatedly,
or is having convulsions.
What is the treatment?
Treatment of chicken pox usually takes place in
the home unless symptoms are severe. Treatment
usually focuses on reducing fever by using
acetaminophen or another fever-reducing
medication. Applying wet compresses or taking a
bath with four to eight ounces of baking soda or
one to two cups of oatmeal may reduce the itch.
Calamine lotion (and some other kinds of lotions)
also helps to reduce itchiness. If the itching
becomes severe or interferes with sleep, the
doctor may recommend a nonprescription
antihistamine called Benadryl.
If mouth blisters make eating or drinking
difficult, cold drinks and soft, bland foods may
be recommended to ease discomfort. Chicken pox
symptoms can also be lessened with an antiviral
drug called acyclovir (Zovirax). However, it may
only be helpful if started within 24 hours of the
appearance of the first sores.
Chicken pox is usually only contagious until
all the sores have scabbed over, usually about six
to seven days after the sores appear.
Self-care tips
Chicken pox usually runs its course within a
week without causing lasting harm. In about 20
percent of the population, usually people 50 and
over, the virus never leaves the body and lies
dormant in the nerve cells where it can be
reactivated years later. The result is shingles
(also called herpes zoster), a very painful nerve
inflammation, accompanied by a rash, that usually
affects the trunk or the face for ten days or
more.
A vaccine for chicken pox, called Varivax, is
now available and is about 85 percent effective
for preventing all cases of chicken pox. The
vaccine is now given to all children (with the
exception of certain high-risk groups) at 12-18
months of age, preferably when they receive their
measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. Vaccination is also
recommended for any older child or adult
considered susceptible to the disease. A single
dose of the vaccine is sufficient for children up
to age 12; older children and adults receive a
second dose four to eight weeks later. The risks
of the vaccine are extremely small, but those
interested in getting the vaccine should check
with their doctor about potential side affects.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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