Chickenpox Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
The chickenpox disease or varicella is commonly suffered by children under 10 years old. It is important to know the causes, symptoms, and treatment early. This disease can also affect adults but the symptoms that appear more severe than children. All adults who have had chickenpox will not catch it again. Chickenpox is characterized by the appearance of the rash on the skin. The rash will turn into an itchy red fluid that will dry then become sore and peel off within 7 to 14 days. Common parts of the body covered with chickenpox are the face, behind the ears, scalp, chest, abdomen, arms, and legs.
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Chickenpox Causes
Chickenpox is caused by this varicella zoster virus can be transmitted very easily and quickly. The transmission can be in direct contact with the person or through a splash of fluid during the sufferer sneezing or coughing. You are even considered to have been exposed to chickenpox virus if you have had direct contact or had one room with a person for 15 minutes. People with chickenpox usually do not need to do medical examinations for the diagnosis because positively affect chickenpox if having the major symptoms such as a mild fever followed by a rash appears. There are several factors that may increase your risk of contracting this disease.
- Never have chickenpox
- Have not received chickenpox vaccine especially pregnant women
- Have a weakened immune system such as contracting HIV, using steroid medications, or undergoing chemotherapy
- Work in public places such as at school or hospital
- Same house with children
- Babies, especially newborns who have mothers that have not received the chickenpox vaccine
Chickenpox Symptoms
The most common symptom of chickenpox is easily detected like a red rash that spread throughout the body. There are some other symptoms that may be experienced by the person before the appearance of the rash.
- Fever
- Nausea and the body feels not fresh
- No appetite
- A headache
- Fatigue
- Pain or pain in muscles
After that, it will appear the itchy rash. However, not all people with chickenpox experience the same rash symptoms. Some only experience it in certain parts of the body. The rash usually will go through three stages of change.
- The rash becomes small bumps that itchy
- The bumps then turn into fluid-filled nodules which is very itchy
- After 1-2 days, the nodules will dry out and become the scabs that will peel itself
Chickenpox Treatment
Chicken pox has no special treatment and will heal by itself. The treatment is to reduce the spread of the virus and increase the body endurance. Do not give aspirin to a child who is suffering from chickenpox because it can cause Reye's syndrome. When exposed to the smallpox virus, you are advised to do the following:
- Drink plenty of water and avoid foods that can make your mouth hurt especially salty foods
- Do not scratch the chickenpox because it can increase the risk of infection, transmitting to others, and leaving scars
- Wear soft and loose clothing like cotton-like clothing for preventing the skin irritation
- Use painkillers or analgesics if necessary
- Use antiseptic soap containing povidone-iodine on the skin
However, not all people with chickenpox can recover without medical treatment. People who are susceptible to complications from this disease require more intensive treatment. One of the treatments is the antiviral drug acyclovir. This drug can relieve symptoms of chickenpox within 24 hours after the rash appears. Acyclovir just serves to relieve the symptoms and not cure chicken pox.
In addition, the doctors also recommend immunoglobulin therapy. In this therapy, varicella-zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) that containing antibodies to chickenpox virus will be administered by infusion. Immunoglobulin is not aimed at treating chickenpox but a step protection for people who have the high risk of chickenpox infections.