Chickenpox
Chickenpox is an infection caused by the Varicella-zoster virus. Most cases occur in children under the age of 12.
This disease can also occur in adults who have never been infected. When experienced by adults, generally the symptoms of chickenpox will be more severe.
Diseases can easily spread from one person to another. Once you have been exposed, your immune system will recognize it, so you won’t get infected a second time.
Be aware, treatment is needed when symptoms actually get worse over time.
Chickenpox Symptoms
Chickenpox is a disease characterized by an itchy rash filled with water. Before other symptoms develop, the rash usually remains on the sufferer’s body for 7-21 days.
After 48 hours of infection, the sufferer can transmit the virus to others, even before symptoms such as a skin rash appear.
In the early stages before the rash appears, symptoms of the disease are characterized by:
After 1-2 days of experiencing these symptoms, a number of rashes begin to appear and develop.
The rash goes through 3 phases of development, such as:
- Red or pink bumps appear all over the body.
- The lump then turns into a fluid-filled blister.
- As they begin to heal, the bumps become cracked, dry, and crusty.
At one time, the rash bumps all over the body are not always in the same development phase.
New lumps may continue to appear as long as the virus continues to infect the body.
Sufferers can still infect others until the blisters on their body dry up and peel off within 7-14 days.
Causes of Chickenpox
The main cause of chickenpox is infection with the Varicella zoster virus. The virus can be spread through direct contact with the rash.
In addition, transmission of the Varicella zoster virus can also spread when someone with chickenpox coughs or sneezes and is inhaled by someone through droplets in the air.
If a person is infected, the infection will begin with the appearance of a rash.
Then, the rash turns into red, fluid-filled bumps that itch and dry out over time.
The pimples then become scabs and peel off within 7 to 14 days.
Chickenpox Risk Factors
The risk of someone being infected with the varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox will be higher if the person has never had it or has not received the chickenpox vaccine.
In addition, this disease can be transmitted directly from mother to baby. Because natural immunity will only appear 3 months after the baby is born.
Therefore, it is important to vaccinate or immunize against chickenpox from childhood.
In addition to these risk factors, there are several other risk factors for chickenpox that you also need to be aware of, such as:
- Having close contact with a person infected with the varicella-zoster virus for more than 15 minutes.
- Touching the rash of someone infected with chickenpox or shingles.
- Touching something that has recently been used by an infected person such as clothing or bedding.
- Adults living with children under 12 years of age.
- Spending time at school or a childcare facility.
- Low immune system due to illness or medication.
Chickenpox Diagnosis
Doctors will generally diagnose chickenpox based on the characteristics of the rash that appears.
If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, the doctor will perform laboratory tests, such as blood tests or viral cultures.
The following is a description of the two tests, namely:
1. Blood test
Blood tests are done to detect whether a person has an active chickenpox infection or to test a person’s immunity to the disease.
This examination will be carried out by taking a number of blood samples which will be examined in the laboratory.
2. Virus culture test
Viral culture is an examination carried out by taking a sample of fluid from the rash on the patient’s body.
The sample will then be examined in the laboratory to detect the presence of the Varicella virus.
Chickenpox Treatment
Until now, no effective treatment steps have been found to overcome chickenpox. So far, treatment is done to relieve the symptoms experienced by sufferers.
Doctors usually prescribe antipyretics to relieve fever or antihistamines to relieve itching of the skin.
In addition, here are some home care steps that can support the home chickenpox treatment process:
- Drink plenty of fluids. If your child doesn’t like water, you can give him juice or ice cream to prevent dehydration.
- Dress your child in long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks to prevent them from scratching their skin.
- Cut your child’s nails to avoid injuring the rash blisters.
- Use a cooling cream or gel from the pharmacy.
- Take a cold shower to relieve itching.
- Wear loose clothing with soft materials.
Chickenpox Complications
Although rare, chickenpox with serious symptoms can also cause complications in some vulnerable groups.
The following are vulnerable groups, including:
- Newborn baby.
- Teenager.
- Adults.
- Pregnant women.
- People with bodies that have a lower ability to fight germs and diseases (weakened immune systems) due to illness or medications, such as people with HIV.
- Patients who have undergone a transplant.
- A person who is undergoing chemotherapy, taking immunosuppressive drugs, or long-term use of steroids.
Meanwhile, here are some complications that can affect chickenpox sufferers, namely:
- Bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues in children, including Group A streptococcal infections.
- Lung infection (pneumonia).
- Infection or swelling of the brain (encephalitis, cerebellar ataxia).
- Bleeding problems (hemorrhagic complications).
- Bloodstream infection (sepsis).
- Dehydration.
- Some people with serious complications from chickenpox can become so ill that they need to be hospitalized. In very severe cases or in people who have not been vaccinated, chickenpox can also be fatal.
Chickenpox Prevention
Chickenpox can be prevented by vaccination. Chickenpox vaccination is one of the most effective preventive measures.
If infected, the symptoms experienced will not be severe and prevent the emergence of complications that could endanger the child’s health.
Transmission of the disease occurs very easily and quickly. If the child is a sufferer, isolate at home for the next 1 week, especially 1-2 days before the rash appears.
If your child interacts with someone who has the disease, see a doctor to get the treatment they need.
When to See a Doctor?
Immediately check your condition with a doctor if you or your little one experiences a number of emergency symptoms such as the following:
- Fever that lasts more than 4 days.
- The itching gets worse and does not respond to treatment.
- The child is difficult to wake from sleep or wakes up confused.
- Reddish spots appear on the skin, or areas of softened skin.
- A red, spotted rash appears like scarlet fever.
- The child complained of a stiff neck.
- The child has difficulty walking.
- The child has difficulty breathing.
- Bleeding occurs in the smallpox blisters.
- Nausea and vomiting that occurs more than three times.
- The child looks pale, in pain, and exhausted.
- The child is not feeling better.
In addition, be sure to contact a doctor within 24 hours to seek medical help, if:
- The pimple appears to be softened and is oozing pus.
- The pimples are getting bigger.
- One of the lymph nodes is enlarged and tender.
- The child has chickenpox, but has never received the chickenpox vaccine or had chickenpox before.
Chickenpox should not be taken lightly, as it can be dangerous to overall health.
Especially for adults and children who have not been vaccinated against chickenpox, to those who have low immunity.