Varicella
Varicella, commonly known in the United States as chickenpox, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Varicella (chickenpox) is an acute, highly contagious viral disease with worldwide distribution.While mostly a mild disorder in childhood, varicella tends to be more severe in adults. Natural infection induces lifelong immunity to clinical varicella in almost all immunocompetent persons. Newborn babies of immune mothers are protected by passively acquired antibodies during their first months of life. Temporary protection of non-immune individuals can be obtained by injection of varicella-zoster immune globulin within three days of exposure. antibody assays are conveniently used as an indication of previous infection or response to vaccination, failure to detect antibodies against VZV does not necessarily imply susceptibility, as the corresponding cell-mediated immunity may still be intact. Getting the chickenpox vaccine significantly lowers your child's chances of getting chickenpox, but he or she may still develop shingles later. If a pregnant woman has had chickenpox before the pregnancy, the baby will be protected from infection for the first few months of life, since the mother's immunity gets passed on to the baby through the placenta and breast milk.
Natural exposure to the virus, the epidemiological impact of childhood vaccination at various levels of coverage, and the zoster-preventive effect of vaccination of adults and elderly people with a history of varicella need to be better understood. the incidence and impact of secondary infections. Kids can be protected from VZV by getting the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine, usually between the ages of 12 to 15 months. People 13 years of age and older who have never had chickenpox or received chickenpox vaccine get two doses of the vaccine at least 28 days apart. A person usually has only one episode of chickenpox, but VZV can lie dormant within the body and cause a different type of skin eruption later in life called shingles.
Causes of Varicella
Common causes of Varicella
- Varicella-zoster virus.
- Highly contagious.
- Respiratory droplets.
- Papules.
- Vesicles.
- Fetus.
Symptoms of Varicella
Common symptoms of Varicella
- Itchy rash.
- Abdomen or back and face.
- Fever.
- Abdominal pain.
- Sore throat.
- Headache.
- Vague sick feeling.
- Infection of the lesions;
- Pneumonia (lung infection).
- Difficulty walking and balancing.
- Encephalitis (brain infection).
Treatment of Varicella
Common Treatment of Varicella
- Manage pruritus with cool compresses and regular bathing.
- Discourage scratching to avoid scarring. Trimming the child's fingernails and having the child wear mittens while sleeping may reduce scratching.
- If you are treated immediately with antiviral medicines. Some medicines include acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famcyclovir.
- Using cool wet compresses or giving baths in cool or lukewarm water every 3 to 4 hours for the first few days. Oatmeal baths, available at the supermarket or pharmacy, can help to relieve itching. (Baths do not spread chickenpox.)
- Giving your child acetaminophen regularly to help relieve pain if your child has mouth blisters.
- Patting (not rubbing) the body dry. Putting calamine lotion on itchy areas.
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