Chickenpox affects mostly children. About 90% of children in New Zealand get chickenpox, with the remaining 10% likely to get during their life.
The ailment is caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV).
Chickenpox, derived from ‘cicer’, meaning chickpeas in Latin, is the same virus that may cause shingles (herpes zoster) after many years of dominance.
Chickenpox usually causes an itchy red rash on the face or head and then spreads throughout the body.
The red spots become fluid-filled blisters. Although it is generally a mild disease in healthy children, it tends to be more severe in adolescents and adults.
The disease is spread by contact or by breathing in droplets coughed out by an infected person. It is also spread by contact with weeping blister.
Permanent immunity
One infection usually gives lifelong immunity. There is an incubation period of 13 to 17 days and the infectious period is usually from two days before the rash appears until all blisters have formed scales or crusts.
People are most contagious during the first two days that they are ill, usually that is about one or two days before the rash shows up.
Severe symptoms include fever, discomfort, headache, sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, sleepiness, convulsions and loss of appetite.
You should consult your GP if you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, your baby is less than four weeks old or if your symptoms are severe.
Treatment
Itching can be relieved by application of calamine or cold compresses. Essential oil of peppermint soothes the rash.
According to hydrotherapy, affected persons should apply cool, wet towels to soothe the rash. This is done by soaking towels in a lukewarm bath to which a handful of uncooked oatmeal or baking soda is added.
Margosa is a powerful antiseptic and its leaves are widely used in India to treat chickenpox sores.
It is advisable to crop the fingernails of children and keep their hands clean. Advise your child not to scratch their itch. Hands and fingernails should be kept clean.
Administering paracetamol can reduce the temperature and headache. Do not give aspirin, as the child can develop Reye’s syndrome, which may lead to death.
Nutrition
It is better to avoid spicy and oily foods. Give your child plenty of fluids, particularly fruit and vegetable juices that are rich in vitamins A and C.
As your child’s appetite improves, move on to broths, soups, solid steamed vegetables and fresh fruit until your child is able to eat a normal diet again.
Owing to the contagious nature of chickenpox, children should be excluded from school, usually for seven days from the onset of the rash.
Possible relapse
In a study, around one in eight people diagnosed with chickenpox reported that they developed the same symptoms earlier. Usually people develop antibodies to the infection, which is lifelong. It appears that some people do not develop the antibodies needed to protect them against re-infection.
Many experts generally agree that chickenpox does not recur. If you had a very mild case of chickenpox with just a few blisters, it is possible to get chickenpox again, although this is rare.
Shingles occurrence
The virus that causes chickenpox may cause shingles. The varicella zoster virus lies dormant for the rest of the individual’s life in the dorsal root ganglia, which are nerve structures near the spine. Stress, illness or fever may reactivate the virus to cause shingles.
Tiny painful blisters appear in one area and on one side of the body, usually on the chest, abdomen or face and later crust over.
People who have weakened or depleted immune systems such as AIDS or cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy can get an attack of shingles.
You must consult your doctor at once if symptoms persist.
Primary treatments include antiviral drugs, pain relievers and antibiotics if secondary infection occurs. Backup treatment is easily available.
Acupuncture is widely used to treat acute shingles, usually within 48-72 hours of the illness. Homeopaths use Rhus Toxicodendron for acute shingles.
Vaccine
The chickenpox vaccine is available in New Zealand at a cost.
For more details, please call Healthline on 0800-611116
Thilliar Varnakulasingham has been a regular Indian Newslink columnist. He is versatile on several aspects of health and wellbeing.
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