Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the varicella virus. Most cases occur in children under age 15 but older children and adults can get it. It spreads very easily by coughing and sneezing, by direct contact, and by aerosolization of virus from skin lesions.

Symptoms

A skin rash of blister-like lesions, covering the body but usually more concentrated on the face, scalp, and trunk. Most, but not all, infected individuals have fever, which develops just before or when the rash appears. The disease is usually mild and lasts 5 to 10 days, but it may cause serious complications, such as bacterial infection of the skin, swelling of the brain, and pneumonia. Adolescents and adults are more at risk for severe disease.

Treatment

Parents can do several things at home to help relieve their child´s chickenpox symptoms. Because scratching the blisters may cause them to become infected, keep your child´s fingernails trimmed short. Calamine lotion and Aveeno® (oatmeal) baths may help relieve some of the itching. Do not use aspirin or aspirin-containing products to relieve your child's fever. The use of aspirin in children with chickenpox has been associated with development of Reye´s syndrome (a severe disease affecting all organs, but most seriously affecting the liver and brain, that may cause death). Use non-aspirin medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®).

Your health-care provider will advise you on treatment options. Acyclovir, famcyclovir, or valacyclovir (medicines that work against herpesviruses) are recommended for persons who are more likely to develop serious disease, including persons with chronic skin or lung disease, otherwise healthy individuals 13 years of age or older, and persons receiving steroid therapy. However, only acyclovir is currently licensed for use in treating varicella.

Vaccination

Chickenpox vaccine is the best way to prevent chickenpox. Vaccination not only protects vaccinated persons, it also reduces the risk for exposure in the community for persons unable to be vaccinated because of illness or other conditions, including those who may be at greater risk for severe disease. While no vaccine is 100% effective in preventing disease, the chickenpox vaccine is very effective: about 8 to 9 of every 10 people who are vaccinated are completely protected from chickenpox. In addition, the vaccine almost always prevents against severe disease.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA.