Chicken pox
Chicken pox is a viral infection that was once considered to be a classic childhood illness. Extremely itchy blisters will form all over the skin. There is now a chicken pox vaccination available, making chicken pox much less likely to get. Chicken pox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is a member of the herpes virus family. This is also the same virus that causes shingles in adults. Chicken pox is highly contagious. It is usually a mild disease, but it is always best to safe guard yourself when you are younger and get the vaccination.
Chicken Pox Symptoms
Symptoms and signs of chicken pox includes fever, loss of appetite, sore throat, headache, fatigued, and a feeling of unwellness. They will usually last 5 to 10 days, with three stages. In the first stage, the papules (red or pink raised bumps on the skin), will break out the skin over a course of several days. Vesicles (fluid filled blisters) will then form, and will be filled for about a day before breaking. Scabs will then form on the skin, which will take several days to heal. It is possible to have all three stages at once. One will be contagious until all the spots have crusted over. Many do not realize that they are contagious for up to 48 hours before the rash appears. It spreads by sneezing, coughing, or sharing food and drinks. If you touch the fluid of a blister, you could also be infected.
Chicken pox are usually mild. A doctor should be contacted if you suspect that you have chicken pox. A doctor can prescribe medications to make the chicken pox not appear as severe. Should you see any of the following signs, let your doctor know:
- a rash that is accompanied by rapid heartbeat, dizziness, shortness of breath, tremors,stiff neck, vomiting, a fever that is higher than 103 degrees, cough that is appearing to get worse, and loss of muscle coordination.
- The rash spreads to either eye.
- The rash is warm or tender.
Other Risks Associated to Chicken Pox
Chicken pox could cause problems for woman that are pregnant or those that have weakened immune systems. Once you have the disease, it is not likely that you will have it again. However, if the virus does appear again in the body, a painful outburst of shingles can take place.
Those who have a higher risk of chickenpox include those that have never had it before, those that have not been vaccinated for it, those that live with children, and those that work with children, such as daycare workers or teachers.
Chicken Pox Treatment
If you have come down with a case of the chickenpox, there are things that you can do at home to make yourself more comfortable. First off, avoid scratching the area. This could damage the skin. If you are finding yourself itching, cut fingernails short or wear gloves. Wear clothes that will not aggravate the skin and that is not tight. Cool, comfortable clothes are the best. Take lukewarm baths. One can add oatmeal or baking soda to the bath to help comfort the skin. Pat the skin dry when done, never rub as this will only aggravate the skin more. Try hydrocortisone cream to heal the itch, or use a moisturizer to cool the skin. Avoid exposure to heat, and if needed take some Benadryl or other antihistamines.
Chickenpox is hard to avoid since it is an airborne disease. One can be vaccinated for it, but many times, people are exposed to chickenpox before the person knows they even have it. A vaccine will usually prevent the illness all together or just give a mild case of it.
Reference Sources:
2. Immunise
I remember when I had the chicken pox. I was 7 I believe. My older sister also had it and so did my younger sister. Mom was busy with 3 itchy girls. I remember taking many baking soda baths. That was very soothing to the skin. I would not say that we had mild cases, but yet they were not super severe either. We were all covered with spots, I remember looking at pictures of us covered in little red bumps.
I have never had chicken pox before. I really wish that as a child I would have had it. I have heard that when you are older, you get it worse. Is it possible? I also worry about shingles. I have had heard that these were extremely painful, and I never want to have to go through that.
I have never had the chicken pox and obviously when I was younger, the vaccination was not available. I am 33 years old now and do not want to develop the disease. I don’t have the time off work to spend at home and just don’t want to go through all that. Is it safe for me to get vaccinated from it? Do they give adult vaccinations for it? I also never want to develop the shingles, and feel that this vaccination would help from that.
Can one have shingles and never get chicken pox? I know that if you have the virus, it causes shingles. My mother swears that she never had the chicken pox as a small child. However, three years ago she got the shingles. At the time she was taking chemo and radiation treatments, so her immune system was very weak. She said that shingles was very painful for her and she would never wish that on her worst enemy. Also I would like to know if one is exposed to someone that has shingles, are they are a higher risk for getting shingles themselves?
I have had the chicken pox when I was in 1st grade. I recall how itchy I was. I spent 2 weeks at home with mom, and I loved it. I did not like being itchy but I loved all the attention that I got. Baths all the time, mom letting me play in them as long as I wanted to soothe the skin. I remember having a baking soda toy boat that released baking soda, and I thought that was the coolest. I also got to eat ice cream and pudding because my throat was very sore at the time. Granted, I would not want my child to have to go through that, but it was not too bad for me once I got to feeling a bit better.
I have also heard that cornstarch baths are good for the skin when you have chicken pox. Has anyone else heard this? Or ever tried it out? Would cornstarch help to dry up the blisters that have started leaking?
Is there a shingles vaccination now so one does not develop shingles? I have had chicken pox but would like to learn more if there is a vaccination for this as I do not want to go through that pain.