Does your child also have small watery blisters all over his body and itches a lot? It may be accompanied by a fever. This is very likely to be chickenpox, which we all know. Don't worry, this is something that many people get during childhood. However, it is very important to know exactly what this is. Let's talk about everything about chickenpox today.
What exactly is chickenpox?
Simply put, chickenpox is a viral infection . It is caused by the virus called Varicella-zoster. It is a very contagious disease. However, it is not as common as it used to be. Did you know? There is a vaccine for it. So, most children do not get it now.
Chickenpox is usually most common in young children. However, adults can get it too. However, if an adult gets chickenpox, it can sometimes be a bit more severe. Therefore, it is best to get it at a young age (if you haven't been vaccinated) or get vaccinated to protect yourself from it.
The first vaccine for chickenpox came out in 1995. Before that, almost everyone got chickenpox as a child. But since the late 1990s, the number of chickenpox cases has decreased by about 90%. Now, most children get the chickenpox vaccine along with their regular vaccinations.
Once you have chickenpox, you can't catch it from someone else again. That means your body develops immunity against it. However, if you haven't been vaccinated, you can get chickenpox at any age.
What are the three stages of chickenpox blisters?
There are three main stages of chickenpox blisters. Let's see what they are.
- First stage: This is when red, small bumps appear on the body. These may last for a few days. During this time, the body may also start to itch a little.
- Stage 2: Next, the red bumps turn into fluid-filled blisters. They look like little water bubbles. The fluid inside these blisters is sometimes milky in color. These blisters burst within a day or two. This is the most painful stage.
- Stage 3: After the blisters burst, crusts form in those areas. These crusts also remain for a few days and then fall off one by one.
The important thing is that all three of these stages can occur at the same time. That is, in some places new red spots appear, in others blisters burst, and in others crusts form. This complete shedding of the skin can last for about 10 days.
Where does chickenpox start?
Chickenpox blisters usually start on the face and trunk (i.e., chest and back) and then spread to other parts of the body, including the extremities.
Who gets chickenpox? Why is it less common now?
In the past, before the vaccine came along, chickenpox was most common in children between the ages of 3 and 6. But now, thanks to the chickenpox vaccine, the number of cases has decreased significantly. It is now mostly those who have not been vaccinated who get it.
What are the symptoms of chickenpox?
The symptoms of chickenpox are very easy to recognize. Most of the time, a doctor will diagnose chickenpox by looking at a child's skin. The symptoms usually come in this order:
- Just a little fever.
- I feel tired.
- Headache .
- I feel like I have a stomachache and I have no appetite.
- A skin rash that is very itchy and looks like small water blisters.
- Lumps filled with a milky liquid.
- After the blisters burst, crusts form.
- The skin looks like spots in places.
- The crusts have fallen off, and those spots are gradually fading away.
Children who get the chickenpox vaccine usually don't get chickenpox. However, because the vaccine isn't 100% effective, some children can still get chickenpox even after getting the vaccine. This is called a ``breakthrough'' infection. But the good news is that chickenpox that does happen is usually very mild .
What causes chickenpox?
As we mentioned earlier, chickenpox is caused by a virus. The virus is spread from one person to another, either through bodily fluids (such as when coughing or sneezing) or through physical contact (such as when someone touches a wound).
How is chickenpox transmitted?
Children can get chickenpox at any age. After being exposed to the chickenpox virus, a child can remain asymptomatic for anywhere from one to three weeks before symptoms appear. Importantly, children can spread the virus from one to two days before symptoms appear until all the blisters on their bodies have crusted over.
Ways chickenpox is transmitted:
- By touching someone who has chickenpox.
- By breathing in the air that comes out when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- By touching fluids from the eyes, nose, or mouth of an infected child.
Who is at higher risk of developing chickenpox?
If you haven't been vaccinated against chickenpox, and you've never had chickenpox, you're at risk of getting chickenpox. This risk is even higher if you work with young children or work in a school or daycare center.
Can chickenpox cause complications?
Complications from chickenpox are rare, but they can happen. Sometimes, these things can happen:
- Bacterial infections of the skin, blood, and soft tissues.
- Encephalitis (brain infection) or Reye's syndrome.
- `Pneumonia`.
- Dehydration (water retention).
- Blood clotting problems.
- Liver problems.
Even during the chickenpox epidemic, healthy children usually had mild symptoms. However, if chickenpox occurs in people over the age of 18, the symptoms can be more severe.
Who is more likely to have complications?
Chickenpox rarely causes serious complications in healthy children. However, severe chickenpox can be dangerous for the following people:
- Newborn babies whose mothers have not had chickenpox and have not been vaccinated.
- Pregnant mothers who have not had chickenpox.
- Anyone over the age of 18.
- People with weakened immune systems.
- People with `Cancer` or `HIV`.
- People undergoing chemotherapy.
- People who have had an organ transplant.
Can chickenpox be fatal?
The risk of death from chickenpox is very low. Most people recover without any complications. Most of those who die from chickenpox are adults. For example, in the United States, there were fewer than 30 deaths and fewer than 1,400 hospitalizations from chickenpox in 2022. So, there is nothing to worry about.
How is chickenpox diagnosed?
Chickenpox is easy to recognize. A doctor can tell if your child has chickenpox just by looking at their skin. Special tests are usually not needed.
How can you help a child with chickenpox?
Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and fluids. Chickenpox usually clears up on its own in a week or two. You can do the following to help reduce your child's itching:
- Apply a cold, damp cloth to the itchy areas.
- Keep the child cool. Itching increases in a hot environment.
- Tell your child not to scratch. Keep their nails short. This will reduce the risk of skin damage if they scratch.
- Apply a lotion containing antihistamines, which you can buy at the pharmacy. If you're not sure what to buy, ask a pharmacist.
- You can ask your doctor for antihistamine pills to reduce itching (e.g., Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), Cetirizine (Zyrtec®)).
- Make sure to bathe or shower with cold water every day. Bathing with oatmeal is also very good for itching. After bathing, pat your skin dry, rather than rubbing it vigorously with a towel.
- Give plenty of water and fluids to prevent dehydration.
- If blisters develop inside the mouth, give the child soft, non-spicy foods that are easy to eat.
Very important: Never give your child aspirin! Giving aspirin to children with a fever can cause a dangerous condition called Reye's syndrome. If your child needs pain relief, use something like acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®). If you're not sure what medicine to give, ask your child's doctor.
What if your baby gets chickenpox?
If your baby (up to 3 months old) gets chickenpox, tell your baby's doctor right away. Chickenpox can be more dangerous for newborns than for other healthy babies.
What is the treatment for chickenpox in adults?
Treatment for adults is the same as for children. However, a doctor may recommend the use of antiviral medications. Adults who are at risk of developing severe symptoms or who have certain other medical conditions may benefit from these antiviral medications.
How long is chickenpox contagious?
Chickenpox is contagious until every blister on your body has turned into a scab. If you have fluid-filled blisters that haven't burst or crusted over, you can still spread the virus.
How many days does it take to heal from chickenpox?
Chickenpox usually heals within 10 to 14 days.
Can you get chickenpox twice?
It's very rare for someone to get chickenpox twice, but it can happen.
Can adults who had chickenpox as children get it again?
When children get chickenpox, their bodies make substances called `antibodies` to fight the disease. These `antibodies` fight the virus and heal the body. These `antibodies` stay in your body for the rest of your life. So, if you are exposed to the chickenpox virus again as an adult, those `antibodies` will fight the virus and protect you from there.
When can a child with chickenpox go back to school?
The child can return to school after about 7 to 10 days of healing. You don't have to wait until the scabs have completely fallen off, but all blisters should have crusted over. The blisters are contagious as long as there is fluid inside.
Is there a vaccine to prevent chickenpox?
Yes! There is a vaccine for chickenpox. Your child's pediatrician will give this in two doses.
- For children under 13 years of age: The first dose is given between 12 and 15 months of age. The second dose is given between 4 and 6 years of age. Most children are given the chickenpox vaccine as part of a combination vaccine (MMRV vaccine) that is given with measles, mumps, and rubella. It can also be given as a single vaccine.
- For adults who have not had chickenpox: If you are over 13 years old and have never had the chickenpox vaccine, you also need to get two doses, at least 28 days apart.
The vaccine is more than 90% effective in preventing chickenpox. Since 1995, the vaccine has prevented about 91 million cases of chickenpox.
Who should not get the chickenpox vaccine?
Some people should not get the chickenpox vaccine. Do not get the chickenpox vaccine if you have any of these conditions:
- If you are allergic to the vaccine or anything in the vaccine.
- If you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant.
- If you have problems with your immune system .
- If you have tuberculosis.
- If you are not feeling well. (Get the vaccine when you are feeling well.)
- If you have recently had a blood transfusion or received other live-attenuated vaccines.
If your child has chickenpox and has these symptoms, see a doctor.
If your child has any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately:
- A severe headache or a fever that won't go down.
- If you see wounds inside the eyes .
- If the wound gets bigger, or if yellow pus is visible.
- If you have difficulty breathing or are breathing very fast.
- Stiff neck or muscle/joint stiffness.
- If it's hard to wake up from sleep.
When should adults with chickenpox seek medical advice?
Chickenpox can be more serious in adults. If you think you have chickenpox , see a doctor right away. It's especially important to see a doctor right away if you, or someone in your household, is pregnant, or if you live with someone who has a weakened immune system.
What is the connection between shingles and chickenpox?
In adulthood, the Varicella-zoster virus that caused chickenpox can become active again. When that happens, a disease called Shingles develops. Shingles is "infected" by someone who has had chickenpox. Someone who has had shingles can get chickenpox from someone who has not had chickenpox. However, if you have not had chickenpox, you will not get shingles.
Important things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so we've talked a lot about chickenpox, haven't we? The most important thing to remember is that the best way to prevent chickenpox is to get vaccinated. Even if healthy children get chickenpox, it's usually not that serious and can be treated at home. But it can be a bit more serious for adults. So, if you've had chickenpox and haven't gotten the vaccine, talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated. Everyone wants to stay healthy!
` Chickenpox, chickenpox, varicella-zoster virus, chickenpox vaccine, skin blisters, itching, childhood diseases
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