Varicella
From ChildWiki.com
Varicella or chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus that is a component part of the herpes viruses family. This virus rests in the nasal secretions and in fluids from vesicles. Chickenpops is highlt contagious, and 90% of those that don't have immunity to it and are exposed will do the disease. The epidemy usually appears between February and April in children aged between 5 and 9.
[edit] Signs and Symptoms of Varicella
Varicella is a viral infection that causes a dermatological eruption. The rash first appears in face and abdomen, and then it will move towards the entire surface of the body, including the head and genital organs, and even inside the mouth, ear, vagina. The rash elements are at first small vesicles of 5 to 10 millimeters that are red and appear over two or more days in waves.
These vesicles will swell, becoming a papular rash and will ultimately become fluid blisters. They will gradually disappear, not leaving marks if they are not scratched, torn. Some persons get just a few of them ,while others get hundreds.
The rash usually involves itching. Tearing the vesicles lead to forming a crust that can be infected with bacteria, resulting in a secondary bacterial infection.
Some children have fever, abdominal pain, or even a light sensation of nausea during eruption. These symptoms last 3 to 5 days and the fever does not go over 39.4 Celsius degrees. Smaller children will usually have a milder fever and a less severe eruption compared to bigger children or adults. Usually, chickenpox is an easy disease, but it can be deadly for those immunodeficient.
Usually, a person that had the disease once gets life immunity. But the virus that causes the disease can remain in the body and can cause the adult various types os sin rashes.
[edit] Complications and Treatment
Complications usually appear in congenital varicella syndrome, when the mother gets chickenpox for the first time during pregnancy. As all other viral infections that pass the placenta and infect the fetus, varicella can cause severe malformations, encephalitis, birth defects and even fetal death.
Even if in most cases chickenpox is an easy disease, when it is done too early or too late in the life, serious complications like pneumonia, encephalitis, skin infections can appear. After the initial attach, the varicella zoster virus remains in the body, in a latent stage, but might wake up later on in the adult life and cause Herpes Zoster
Antibiotics are not taken with varicella because this disease is caused by a virus. Antibiotics can however be used if the child has developed complications of microbial nature. Children and other persons that have a weak immune system need an antiviral treatment, usually with acyclovir.
Usually, home treatment is orientated towards easing the itching and decreasing the fever. For the itching, cold baths can be made every 4 hours during the first days.
The rash inside the mouth can cause problems when eating. Cold fluids can be drunk and food that doesn't require a lot of chewing. Acids in drinks like orange juice should be avoided, and so should be salt. Mouth pain can be eased with Tylenol or similar drugs.
To reduce the fever, parents will use medication recommend, and will never use aspirin. Aspirin is not used in children with chickenpox or other viral infections beacuse it can cause Reye`s Syndrome.
