Get to Know Chickenpox – A Contagious Disease for Both Children and Adults! How Should It Be Managed Once Contracted?
It’s safe to say that many people are already familiar with chickenpox. Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness that spreads easily. Once symptoms appear, it requires a recovery period of at least one week. Some may recall this disease from childhood, perhaps seeing classmates with chickenpox blisters or having experienced chickenpox themselves as a child. Others, however, may never have shown symptoms until adulthood and may worry about the severity of the condition.
This article will guide you through a deeper understanding of chickenpox symptoms to help you prepare and manage the illness properly if you or someone close to you develops symptoms. Let’s dive in.
2. Early Symptoms of Chickenpox
4. Is the Chickenpox Vaccine Beneficial, And Who Should Get It?
5. Chickenpox Complications to Watch Out For
1. What Causes Chickenpox?
Chickenpox is a contagious disease. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella virus. It spreads through inhaling respiratory droplets containing the virus, such as mucus or saliva. Direct contact with chickenpox blisters can also transmit the disease. Living with someone who has chickenpox or sharing personal items with them increases the risk of infection, particularly for individuals with weakened immune systems.
When chickenpox is mentioned, most people think of the characteristic chickenpox blisters that appear as rashes or fluid-filled bumps on the skin. While these are the most common symptoms, there are other manifestations of the illness, which will be discussed further below.
2. Early Symptoms of Chickenpox
The early symptoms of chickenpox typically appear 1–3 weeks after exposure to the virus. Early signs include headaches, fever, fatigue, and body aches. This is often followed by itching and the development of red spots on the skin. These spots progress into clear blisters and may cause intense itching.
Chickenpox symptoms generally last for at least one week, although this can vary from person to person. Over time, chickenpox blisters dry up and form scabs. Some may experience minor scars, which gradually fade. Scars from chickenpox tend to heal more quickly in children than in adults experiencing chickenpox.
However, individuals who develop bacterial infections as complications during chickenpox may notice pus in the affected areas, leading to wounds that can result in permanent scars or potentially trigger shingles later in life. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the appearance of chickenpox blisters. If abnormalities are detected, seek medical advice promptly to manage symptoms effectively.
3. How to Treat Chickenpox
If chickenpox blisters appear, the following steps can help speed up recovery:
- Maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness of surrounding items to reduce bacterial accumulation, which may lead to infections.
- Keep nails trimmed short to minimize scratching and damaging chickenpox blisters.
- Clean your body regularly, bathe properly, and wash hands frequently to prevent bacterial build-up.
- Ensure sufficient rest to support the immune system’s effectiveness.
- Eat nutritious foods and stay hydrated.
- Use anti-itch medication as prescribed by a doctor.
- Isolate individuals experiencing chickenpox to prevent the spread of the virus to others.
4. Is the Chickenpox Vaccine Beneficial, And Who Should Get It?
Those who have never had chickenpox and wish to avoid the illness can opt for the chickenpox vaccine. In Thailand, both single and combination vaccines are available. The single vaccine provides immunity against chickenpox (varicella zoster), while the combination vaccine includes protection against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox (mumps-measles-rubella-varicella vaccine). Vaccination guidelines for the prevention of chickenpox are as follows:
- Children aged 1 year and older should receive two doses. The first dose can be administered starting at one year of age (with a minimum six-month interval between doses).
- Children under 12 years or those who have never had chickenpox should receive two doses (with at least three months between doses).
- Adolescents and adults aged 13 and above should receive two doses (with a minimum interval of one month between doses).
Precautions Before Receiving the Chickenpox Vaccine
- Individuals with a history of chickenpox, immunodeficiency diseases, tuberculosis, or cancer must inform their doctor before receiving the vaccine.
- If you are unwell prior to vaccination, postpone it until at least seven days after recovery before proceeding with the chickenpox vaccine.
- People taking immunosuppressive medication, individuals with immunodeficiency diseases, or those who have undergone blood transfusions cannot receive the chickenpox vaccine.
- Post-vaccination side effects may include fever, redness and swelling at the injection site, and rash in some cases. Resting adequately is recommended, as these symptoms will gradually subside and return to normal.
5. Chickenpox Complications to Watch Out For
Chickenpox in healthy individuals with normal physical conditions rarely leads to complications. However, complications are more commonly found in the following groups:
- Chickenpox in adults This may cause pustules and scarring from the chickenpox blisters due to secondary infections.
- Chickenpox in pregnant women If contracted during the first trimester, it can lead to congenital varicella syndrome in the unborn child, resulting in scarring on the body, limb deformities, cataracts, microcephaly, or other physical abnormalities.
- Chickenpox in women close to delivery If contracted with chickenpox within five days before delivery or two days after delivery, it may affect the newborn, causing neonatal chickenpox, which can sometimes be severe.
- Chickenpox in individuals with weakened immune systems After recovering from chickenpox, the virus may remain dormant in the body and reactivate later as shingles when the immune system weakens or immunity decreases with age.
In summary, caring for a chickenpox patient involves prioritizing personal hygiene, taking medications as prescribed by a doctor, and getting adequate rest. If any unusual symptoms occur, consult a doctor immediately for safety. For those who have never had chickenpox, consider gathering information about vaccination and getting vaccinated as a preventive measure.
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Sources: Retrieved on 07/11/67