CHICKENPOX

Chickenpox Overview

Chickenpox is a highly contagious and very common disease that is often described as one of the "classic" children’s diseases, because so many people suffer from it during their childhood,and is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV),

Usually chickenpox is usually a fairly mild disease, but a range of serious and rare complications can result in some cases, such as encephalitis, Reye's syndrome, pneumonia, myocarditis, and transient arthritis.  Medical treatment should be obtained immediately if there is any sign of these occurring.

Chickenpox can also cause serious complications for babies during pregnancy.

In most cases, it is enough to keep the chickenpox sufferer comfortable while their own bodies fight the illness.  Oatmeal baths in lukewarm water, calamine lotion, antihistamine lotions, and topical lotions can help ease the itching.

Chickenpox virus is an airborne virus, which means that it spreads via the air.  In addition, chickenpox can be spread by direct contact, and it is highly contagious even before the rash appears.  As such, people often inadvertently spread the disease around before they even realise that they have it.

The best way to avoid chickenpox is be immunized against the disease.  Since the chickenpox vaccine was introduced, it has been a far less common disease.

Full information on Chickenpox is available in the Free eBook which includes symptoms, complications, transmission, diagnosis, treatment and prevention in detail.

WARNING - DO NOT USE ASPIRIN.  Unless instructed by your child's doctor, don't give aspirin to a child who has a viral illness since the use of aspirin in such cases has been associated with the development of Reye Syndrome – a serious and potentially deadly encephalitis-like illness.  Instead, acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be used safely.

If there is any doubt, then please call your Doctor or Health Care Provider.

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