Chicken Pox Definition
Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the Varicella zoster virus. This disease is characterized by symptoms in the form of a redness rash filled with fluid that feels very itchy throughout the body.
Chickenpox was once a common disease in children. However, after chickenpox vaccination was done since the 1990s, cases of chickenpox began to decrease gradually.
Chickenpox can cause serious complications in babies, pregnant women, and people with weak immune system, such as people with HIV / AIDS.
Chicken Pox Symptoms
Symptoms of chickenpox are a red rash on the face, chest, or back, which can spread to all parts of the body. Chickenpox is also characterized by other complaints, such as:
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
Chicken Pox Causes
What causes chickenpox?
The main cause of this condition is varicella-zoster, which is one of the herpes viruses. The virus can pass from an infected person to a healthy person two days before blisters appear. The virus will remain contagious until all blisters are dry. Usually this virus can be spread through:
- Saliva
- Cough
- Sneeze
- Contact with fluid from blisters
You are at risk of transmitting the disease from 2 days before the rash appears up to 6 days after rash forms. The virus will remain contagious until all these broken blisters harden.
Chickenpox risk factors
What increases my risk of getting chickenpox?
Anyone who has never been exposed to or contracted the virus is at risk of developing chickenpox. However, the risk will increase in:
- People who come into skin contact with chickenpox patients.
- Children under 12 years old.
- People who smo**ke.
- Pregnant women who have never been infected.
- People who have not received the chickenpox vaccine.
- Older persons living with children.
- Work in schools or daycares where the virus is particularly vulnerable to widespread
- Have a weakened immune system due to certain diseases or medications.
Exposure to the virus through previous active infections or vaccinations reduces the risk of contracting this one disease.
Read more:
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Chicken pox diagnostic test
Doctors will generally diagnose chickenpox based on the characteristics of the rash that appears. If there are doubts about the diagnosis, then the doctor will undergo laboratory tests, such as blood tests or viral cultures. Here is the description of the two tests, namely:
Blood Test
Blood tests are done to detect whether a person has an active chickenpox infection or test a person’s immunity to the disease. This examination will be done through the taking of a number of blood samples that will be examined in the laboratory.
Virus Culture Test
Viral culture is an examination that is done by taking a sample of fluid from a rash on the patient’s body. The sample will then be examined in a laboratory to detect the presence of varicella virus.
Chicken Pox Treatment
Basically, there is no specific remedy to treat chickenpox. But generally this condition can heal on its own in a week or two.
Your doctor may prescribe medications or advice on ways to reduce symptoms, such as:
- Painkillers, help reduce high fever and pain when a person has chickenpox
- It is important to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
- Consumption of sugar-free popsicles, relieves symptoms of oral pain due to spots in the mouth
- Topical ointments, cold showers, or oral Benadryl tablets to reduce itching
- Prescribe antiviral medications if you have a weakened immune system.
Read more:
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Chickenpox complications
Chickenpox can cause several complications such as:
- Bacterial infection of the skin
- Breathing problems
- Encephalitis or developing inflammation of the brain
- Reye’s syndrome or swelling of the liver and brain
- Bleeding due to ruptured blood vessels
- Sepsis or infection in the blood.
