All You Need to Know About Chickenpox
The highly contagious virus infection chickenpox affects children most. Varicella-zoster virus is the cause. It's part of the Herpes viruses family. This viral infection spreads quickly to close spaces like daycares and schools. The symptoms of chickenpox usually begin between 10-21 days after being exposed. They include fever, itching, headaches, loss of appetite, and a Sore Throat . Good news : Once you've had chickenpox your immune system has developed so it is unlikely that you will get it again.
What's Chickenpox?
Varicella is also called chickenpox. It's a viral infection that can be highly contagious. This virus is part of the herpes-family of viruses and is most commonly seen in children. Itchy skin, fever, headaches, sore throat and loss appetite are the most common symptoms. The spread of chickenpox can be done by coughing or sneezing. It also involves direct contact with the skin, secretions and nose. Although chickenpox is a common infection, the majority of cases are seen in people under 15.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 90% of people who are not vaccinated will contract chickenpox. The United States had approximately 3.5 Million cases of chickenpox between 2010-2014. There were an estimated 95,000 deaths and 100 hospitalizations from the virus during that time.
Chickenpox: Common Causes
Varicella-zoster is the primary reason for chickenpox. It is spread by coughing and sneezing as well as direct contact with lesions on the skin or secretions in the throat and nose of the affected person. Chickenpox can spread quickly in groups, such as at schools and daycare centers or any other place where children are present. Although milder symptoms are common for those who have had their vaccines, they may still get the disease.
There are several common Treatment s for chickenpox
Chickenpox can be treated with comfort measures and rest. You can use calamine lotion and oatmeal baths to soothe itching and take Medications for fever reduction. Although there are many antiviral medication options that may be used to reduce the severity of the disease, these should only be applied in severe cases.
The CDC also recommends that people infected by the virus stay at home until the crusts are gone. This prevents the spread of the disease to others. Anyone who has never had chickenpox, or received the vaccine is advised to get vaccinated.
Views of experts on chickenpox
Experts are unanimous in their belief that vaccination of children against chickenpox will help prevent the spread of this virus. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that the chickenpox vaccine can prevent the spread of the virus later on in life. The vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing chickenpox, with a 98% success rate for severe diseases.
To protect people from the disease, the World Health Organization recommends vaccination. The WHO conducted a systematic review and found the vaccine to be safe and effective in developing as well as developed countries. It could also reduce mortality rates by up to 75 percent .
Chickenpox Prevention Tips and Natural Remedies
Although there's no treatment for chickenpox there are natural ways to reduce symptoms and prevent the spread of the disease. They include:
- To soothe itchy skin, take a warm bath with baking soda or oatmeal.
- Calamine lotion can be used to reduce itching.
- Cool compresses are applied to the area.
- To prevent secondary infections, avoid scratching the skin.
- Get plenty of sleep and drink plenty of fluids.
- Avoid contact with people who have chickenpox.
- Regular vaccinations are important, particularly for children.
These remedies and tips can not prevent the spread of chickenpox. However, it will reduce the symptoms and the chance of others contracting the disease.
Conclusion
The highly contagious virus infection chickenpox affects children most. Varicella-zoster virus is the cause. It's part of the herpes viruses family. Itchy skin, headaches, nausea, vomiting, Diarrhea , loss of appetite, fever and itchy eyes are some common symptoms. To reduce the severity of chickenpox, rest and comfort are the best treatment. There is also a variety of antiviral medication that may be used to speed up recovery. Anyone who has never had chickenpox, or received the vaccine is advised to get vaccinated. There are natural ways to reduce symptoms and prevent the spread of the virus.
Chickenpox can be avoided by vaccination, and it can also be managed with rest and comfort measures. We can protect ourselves and those we love by following experts' advice and using natural remedies as well as prevention tips.