CHICKEN POX(VARICELLA)

• Chicken pox is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by itchy skin rash and fever.
• It spreads easily from person to person and affects many house hold children within a short time.
• The first case of chicken pox was identified in 1875 by Rudolf Steinem and the varicella vaccine was introduced in 1995.

Prevalence of chicken pox

• Chicken pox affects both children and adults.
• It presents with mild symptoms among children but it is more severe in adults.
• Immunocompromised.
• persons have a high risk of developing severe symptoms of chicken pox with complications.

Causes of chicken pox

• Chicken pox is a primary infection caused by varicella-zoster virus, a DNA virus which is a member of the herpesvirus.
• Primary infection results in chicken pox.
• After primary infection, varicella –zoster virus remain dormant in the CNS for life.
• Reactivation of the dormant infection results in herpes zoster (shingles).

Incubation period of chicken pox

• The incubation period for chicken pox ranges from 14-16 days after exposure to an infected person.
• The infected person is infectious from 1-2 days before the onset of skin rash until all the blisters have healed.

Transmission of chicken pox

• Transmission occur through contact with infectious secretion from the nose of a person with chicken pox or herpes zoster.
• It can also be transmitted through contact with vesicle fluids.

Signs and symptoms

• Red skin blisters.
• Itching of the skin.
• Fever.
• Headache.
• Sore throat.
• Body weakness.
• Loss of appetite.

Differential diagnosis of chicken pox

• Diseases that may present with skin rash like chicken pox include:.
• Impetigo.
• Drug-induced eruption.
• Scabies.
• Insect bites.

Long term story of chicken pox

• Most people who suffer from chickenpox will be immune to the disease for the rest of their lives.
• However, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissue and may be reactivated resulting in herpes zoster (shingles) later in life.
• Reactivation occur as result of immunosuppression due to HIV/AIDS and cancer.

Management of chicken pox

• Chicken pox has no cure.
• Treatment focus on relieving symptoms.

Patient advise

• Chickenpox is contagious there fore keep the child or adult at home until the skin lesions have healed.
• Cut the finger nails short to avoid bruising the skin during scratching.
• Recommend bathing with antiseptic soap such as Dettol soap.
• Advise the patient to drink a lot of water.

Best food for patients with chicken pox

• A diet for patient with chickenpox should contain soft and non-acidic foods such as:.
• Mashed potatoes.
• Sweet potatoes.
• Avocado.
• scrambled eggs.
• beans.
• boiled chicken and fish.

Foods to avoid incase of chicken pox

• The food that worsen symptoms of chicken pox include.
• Fried foods like chips.
• Garlic.
• Pop cons.
• Pineapples.
• Tomatoes.

Nutritional supplements

• Vitamin supplements containing vitamin A,C, D and E boost the bodies immunity.
• Minerals like zinc and selenium also help to boost the immune system.
• Vitamin B 12 helps to keep the myelin sheath healthy since the virus affects the nerves.
• Lysine is an essential amino acids that help to strengthen immune system against the herpes family of viruses.

Antiviral herbs

• Elderberry and echinacea are antiviral herbs.
• They reduce viral replication to aid in faster resolution of symptoms.

Analgesics and antipyretics

• Antipyretics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be recommended for at least 3 days.
• They reduce fever and pain.
• Do not use aspirin or aspirin containing products to relieve fever from chickenpox.

Oral antihistamines

• Recommend sedative antihistamines to control skin itching.
• Hydroxyzine.
• Chlorpheniramine.
• Promethazine.
• Others cetirizine.

Antihistamines

• Recommend sedative antihistamines to.
• control skin itching.
• Hydroxyzine.
• Chlorpheniramine.
• Promethazine.
• Others such as cetirizine may be recommended.

Soothing lotions (calamine lotion)

• Skin itching can be relieved by use of calamine lotion.
• Apply to the affected area every 12hours.

Antiviral drugs

Oral antiviral such as acyclovir may be recommended in case of :

• Immune suppression.
• Unvaccinated children above 12 years.
• Severe eczema.
• Chronic pulmonary disease.