Chicken pox adult vaccine

Chicken pox adult vaccine

Chickenpox (varicella), a  viral illness characterised by a very itchy red rash, is one of the most common infectious diseases  of childhood... 08:09:00

Chickenpox (varicella), a  viral illness characterised by a very itchy red rash, is one of the most common infectious diseases  of childhood. It is usually mild in children  but there is a risk of serious complications, such  as bacterial pneumonia.

People who have had chickenpox almost always develop lifetime  immunity (meaning you are extremely unlikely to get it again). However, the virus remains  dormant  in the body and it can reactivate later in life and  cause shingles.

Adult Chicken Pox

Causes of chickenpox?

Chickenpox is  caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus. It is spread by droplets from a sneeze or cough, or  by contact with the clothing, bed linens or oozing  blisters of an infected person. The onset of  symptoms is 10 to 21 days after exposure. The disease is most contagious a day or two before  the rash appears and until the rash is completely dry and scabbed over.

Chicken pox symptom with vaccine?

Chickenpox appears as a  very itchy rash that spreads from the torso to the neck, face and limbs. Lasting seven to 10 days, the rash progresses from red bumps to fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) that drain and scab over. Vesicles may also appear in the mouth, on the scalp, around the eyes or on the genitals and can be very painful.

This cycle repeats itself in  new areas of the body until finally, after about two weeks, all of the sores have healed. The disease  is contagious until all the spots have dried up. Unfortunately, the virus is also contagious for at  least one day before the rash breaks out.

Seek medical advice about chickenpox if:

• You think your child has chickenpox. A doctor can confirm your diagnosis.
• Chickenpox is  accompanied by severe skin pain and the rash produces a greenish discharge and the surrounding skin  becomes red, which are signs of a secondary bacterial skin infection.
• Chickenpox is accompanied by a stiff neck, persistent sleepiness or lethargy as these are symptoms of a  more serious illness such as meningitis or encephalitis. Get medical help immediately.
• Your child is  recovering from chickenpox and begins running a fever, vomiting, having convulsions or  is drowsy. Get medical help immediately.
• An adult family  member gets chickenpox.
• You are pregnant,  have never had chickenpox and are exposed to the disease. Your unborn child may be at risk  so seek medical advice without delay.

Type of treatments  for chickenpox?
Chickenpox is extremely  contagious. Keep your child at home until all of the blisters have burst and crusted over.

Most cases  of chickenpox  require little or no treatment beyond treating the  symptoms.

The prescription  antiviral drug aciclovir is effective for shortening the duration of chickenpox symptoms and may  be recommended for certain people with chickenpox, such as pregnant women, those with a  weakened immune system, and adults who seek medical advice within 24 hours of the rash appearing.

In addition, your doctor  may recommend over-the-counter painkillers and an antihistamine to relieve pain, itching and  swelling. Antibiotics are called for if a secondary bacterial skin infection arises or if the  person with chickenpox develops bacterial pneumonia.