CHICKEN POX

(VARICELLA-ZOSTER-VIRUS)
WHAT IS CHICKEN POX?
Chicken pox is a very contagious infection caused by the varicella
zoster virus. It is a mild illness and is common during childhood
and leads to the development of a blister like rash.


WHAT CAUSES CHICKEN POX?
Chickenpox is caused by the Varicella virus which can be easily
caught by coming in contact with someone infected by the virus.
It is a Herpes virus belonging in the subfamily of
Alphaherpesviridae and is an airborne disease.

Electron micrograph Varicella virus grown in a tissue culture
(magnified 500X)
SYMPTOMS OF CHICKEN POX

Fever (temperature), aches and headache often start a
day or so before a rash appears.
Dry cough and sore throat are common as well as an
appetite loss.
Rash. Spots appear in crops. They develop into small
blisters and are itchy. They can be anywhere on the body.
Several crops may develop over several days. Some
children may be covered in spots; others have only a few
or even none.

TREATMENT FOR CHICKEN POX


There are several things that can be done at home to help
relieve the symptoms and prevent skin infections:

-Calamine lotion and colloidal oatmeal baths help relieve s-some of
the itching.

-Keeping fingernails trimmed short may help prevent skin infections
caused by scratching blisters.

TREATMENT FOR CHICKEN POX

The best way to prevent chicken pox is to get a chickenpox vaccine.
(These are not given on the NHS unless a person will have contact
with someone who is very vulnerable e.g. someone undergoing
chemotherapy)

Vaccinated persons will not usually get the disease however if they
do it will be very mild.

TREATMENT FOR CHICKEN POX

Chicken Pox in a vaccinated person
Chicken Pox in a unvaccinated person
HOW IS CHICKEN POX TRANSMITTED?

This happens through mainly direct contact with the infected person
or an infected object, then transferring the virus to yourself by
touching your face.

It can also spread by tiny droplets that come out of the nose and
mouth through sneezing or coughing. You can then become infected
with the virus by breathing in these droplets from the air.

HOW IS CHICKEN POX TRANSMITTED?

A person with chickenpox can spread the disease from 1 to 2 days
before they get the rash.

If a person vaccinated for chickenpox gets the disease or is
immune to the disease (from getting it), they can still spread it
to others.