Skip to main content

Chickenpox





Introduction

Chickenpox is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It is characterized by a blistery rash.
What is going on in the body?
Chickenpox is characterized by an itchy rash that looks like very small blisters on a red base. The blisters look like dewdrops on top of a red pimple. Chickenpox is usually acquired in childhood by inhaling the virus from an infected person. It is also acquired by touching the blisters of the chickenpox rash when there is still fluid in them.
The disease is usually more severe in adolescents and adults. It can be life-threatening in people with autoimmune disorders, pregnant women, and babies born to mothers who have chickenpox around the time of delivery. A fetus can sometimes acquire VZV in the first 6 months of pregnancy. If this happens, the baby can be born with:
  • scarring of the skin
  • malformed arms or legs
  • problems with the central nervous system
  • eye problems
    • VZV remains in the body forever. After recovery from chickenpox, the virus usually remains quiet, or latent. But sometimes the virus becomes active again, causing shingles, which is a painful infection along the nerves.
    What are the causes and risks of the disease?
    Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. VZV is a member of the herpes virus family. 

    What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
    Symptoms of chickenpox usually appear a little more than 2 weeks after exposure, although anywhere between 10 and 21 days is normal. They include:
  • blistery, itchy rash
  • rash appearing on all body surfaces but usually starting on the head and back
  • fever 

    • How is the disease diagnosed?
    Chickenpox is usually diagnosed based on the appearance of the rash. However, VZV can be detected and/or cultured from chickenpox blisters during the first few days of the rash. The person's blood can be tested to determine whether he or she has had chickenpox in the past. 


    What are the treatments for the disease?
    Acyclovir is used to treat complicated or more severe cases of varicella. It is not routinely used to treat mild to moderate cases in healthy children.
    Home care suggestions are designed to treat the symptoms. These include:
  • acetaminophen to treat discomfort and fever over 102 degrees. Aspirin should be avoided in a person with chickenpox because of a link between aspirin, chickenpox, and a serious infection called Reyes syndrome.
  • cool, tepid baths. A cool or lukewarm bath with 1/2 cup of baking soda or oatmeal added to it will decrease itching from the rash. It may help to have several baths a day for the first few days of the rash.
  • calamine lotion to reduce itching from the rash
  • diphenhydamine, an antihistamine medication, for itching. The healthcare provider should be consulted before giving this medication to young children.
  • a soft diet and cool fluids. Avoid salty or citrus foods.
  • covering the hands of small children with gloves or socks to avoid scratching. Scratching can cause secondary infection of the scabs.
    • What are the side effects of the treatments?
    Acyclovir can sometimes cause damage to the kidneys, or kidney toxicity.
    What happens after treatment for the disease?
    Most people recover without serious long-term effects. But the virus remains and may reactivate at any time to cause shingles.
    How is the disease monitored?
    Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider. No further monitoring is needed once a person recovers from VZV. If VZV symptoms such as shingles redevelop, a person should contact his or her healthcare provider.

    Comments

    Post a Comment

    Popular posts from this blog

    Sputum Cytology

    How is the test performed? This test is usually performed in the morning, right after waking up. The person is asked to rinse his or her mouth with water to avoid a poor sample. After taking several deep breaths, the person then coughs deeply. This should bring up enough of a material from deep in the lungs known as sputum. Sputum is different from spit. The sputum sample is then taken to a lab. The lab can then examine the sample with a microscope    What is involved in preparation for the test? Instructions on sample collection are provided to people having this test. No other special preparation is needed   What do the test results mean? Usually, sputum contains some normal cells. No cells that look like cancer should be in the sample. If cancer cells are seen, the person usually has lung cancer.
    Post a Comment
    Read more

    Toxic Shock Syndrome

    Introduction Toxic shock syndrome, or TSS, is a rare, potentially life-threatening disorder. It occurs when toxins made by certain types of bacteria are released into the bloodstream. What is going on in the body? Toxic shock syndrome was first described in children in 1978. Experts quickly realized it happened more often among women who used superabsorbent tampons during their periods. TSS is triggered by toxins made by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The toxins cause a high fever and can damage the kidneys, liver, and heart. Experts believe that tampons may block bacteria within the vagina. The moist, humid environment allows them to grow and produce high levels of toxins. Tampons can cause very small cuts in the vagina during insertion. These small cuts allow bacteria and their toxins to enter the bloodstream. About 70% of TSS cases have been related to certain brands of highly absorbent tampons that are no longer made. What are the causes and risks of the...
    Post a Comment
    Read more

    Bone Marrow Biopsy

    Who is a candidate for the procedure? A person may undergo a bone marrow biopsy in order to: diagnose different types of leukemia when a blood test shows suspicious cell changes follow the response to a leukemia treatment help in diagnosis and treatment of certain other cancers diagnose and monitor the treatment of certain noncancerous blood disorders How is the procedure performed? First, the skin over the rear of the pelvic bone is cleansed. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area. Sometimes a drug is given intravenously to help calm the person having the procedure. A hollow stainless steel needle is inserted into the back part of the pelvic bone. Once it is inside the bone, a sample of the liquid marrow is drawn into the syringe. Sometimes a larger hollow needle is used to obtain a solid core specimen of marrow from the same area. No incision or sutures are needed. The sample taken is checked under a microscope for abnormal cells.     ...
    Post a Comment
    Read more