Chickenpox

Some basic information about the disease.
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Chickepox (or Varicella) is an infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, resulting in an itchy, blister-like rash, and in fatigue and fever. It spreads from person to person by direct contct or through the air (via coughing or sneezing). It takes from 10 to 21 days after contact for someone to develop chickenpox.
Once infected, a person is considered contagious one to two days before the rash appears and entail all blisters have formed scab. Fo most people, one infection gives lifelong immunity, but there have been cases of individuals getting chickenpox more than once.
The illness commonly lasts about 5 to 10 days with about half of patients having high fever, severe itching, dehydration, or headache. Although uncommon, complications may arise; more prone are infants, adolescents, and adults with weak immunity systems. Call the doctor if:
Fever lasts longer than four days or rises above 39ºC
rash becomes very red, warm, tender, or leaks pus
Child appears extremely ill, is diff cult to wake up or is confused, has difficulty walking, has a stiff neck, vomits repeatedly.
Child has difficulty breather or has a severe cough.
Treatment
Scratching the blisters may cause them to become infected, so keep fingernails trimmerd short. Calamine lotion and oatmeal baths may help relieve some of the itching. Do not use aspirin or aspirin-containing products to relieve your child’s fever.
Vaccination
If your child has never had chickenpox and has been exposed to classmates with chickenpox, theillness can be prevented or modified by vaccination with Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin (VZIG) as soon as possible, but not later than 96 hours after exposure. However, it is costly and only provides temporay protection. It may also cause side efects, including a milk fever two weeks after vacination.
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Who should be vaccinated?
All children below 12 months and 13 years old should have one dose. Children who have had chickenpox do not need the vaccine. People 13 and older who have not had chickenpox should get two doses of the vaccine four to eight weeks apart. However, not everyone should receive the vaccine.
those with serious allergic reaactions to chickenpox vaccine, neomycin, or gelatin.
newborns whose mother had chickenpox three days prior to delivery.
children with leukemia or lymphoma who have not been vaccinated.
Persons with immune problems, and persons receiving drugs, including steroids, that suppress the immune system
Help keep the pox at bay by strengthening your child’s immune system with a healthy and balanced diet that contains five to nine servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables a day. Nutritional supplements will help, especially if your child is a picky eater.