Chicken Pox Infection

Chickenpox is one of the most common illnesses that afflict young people, particularly children under 12. Unless they have been vaccinated, most children will contract chickenpox before reaching adolescence.

Cause

• Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The virus is highly contagious and can be spread by direct or indirect contact with an infected person.

Symptoms

• A bout of chickenpox often, but not always, begins with a fever and other flu-like symptoms. Then a rash of small red bumps appears on the body, and the bumps mature into small fluid-filled blisters. The bumps typically start on the abdomen or back and go on to cover the entire body.

Period Of Contagiousness

• Chickenpox is contagious during a period that lasts from two to three days before the first bumps appear until the last bumps have dried out and crusted over. Typically, this period of contagiousness lasts from seven to 12 days.

Prevention

• If someone in your house has chickenpox, frequent hand-washing is recommended to prevent the virus from spreading. All surfaces that the infected person has come in contact with should also be sanitized. In general, contact with an infected person should be as limited as possible.

Immunization

• To prevent chickenpox, children should be vaccinated against the varicella virus. The initial immunization is typically given at the age of 1 and is followed up with a booster around age 5.

Treatment

• In general, there is no medical treatment for chickenpox and the virus is typically allowed to run its course. However, you can use cold compresses or calamine lotion to relieve the itching from chickenpox bumps.