Varicella The Chair Pox

Chicken pox (Chicken Pox) or what is called Varicella is the most contagious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). This viral infection can cause significant morbidity in normal and immunocompromised children. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a human alpha-herpesvirus pathogen that causes chickenpox (varicella) as a primary infection, which usually occurs in children. After primary infection, this neurotropic virus becomes latent, primarily in neurons in the primary autonomic ganglia throughout the neuroaxis. If one day you are re-infected with the varicella zoster virus, clinical symptoms will appear in the form of herpes zoster or snake pox as a latent infection.

Chickenpox is a disease that spreads through the air, coughing and sneezing, as well as through contact with skin lesions or with items contaminated with chickenpox sufferers. Therefore, the spread of chickenpox transmission is very fast in school children who are in closed rooms and interact physically and with the air for several hours.

SYMPTOMS OF CHAIR POX

Chickenpox causes a skin rash that forms small, itchy blisters filled with water (vesicles) in large numbers over almost the entire body which then burst on their own and eventually scab. The rash usually starts on the chest, back and face and then spreads. At the blister stage, itching will appear so that the sufferer will scratch it. Blisters can also occur on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and the genital area. In the oral cavity and tonsil area, small boils can appear that are painful and itchy. Other symptoms that arise include fever, fatigue, pharyngitis and headaches which usually last 5 – 7 days.

Complications include pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, and bacterial infections of the skin that can appear as cellulitis, impetigo or erysipelas, these diseases are more severe in adults than in children. Primary varicella infection during pregnancy can also affect the fetus, which can then suffer from chickenpox. Symptoms begin to appear 10 to 21 days after exposure, but the average incubation period is about two weeks.

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

The diagnosis of varicella infection is based on signs and symptoms. Confirmation is by examining the fluid in the vesicles, scraping lesions that have not crusted.

Treatment aims to eliminate symptoms symptomatically. As a measure to prevent transmission, sufferers infected with chickenpox should be required to stay at home while they are sick, until the scabs dry out. Patients can bathe regularly using ordinary soap, there is no need to use PK or soap that contains antiseptics or sulfur. Eat nutritious food that is high in protein which is useful for repairing damaged skin and accompanied by milk to increase stamina and body antibodies and get enough sleep. Take medication prescribed by your doctor regularly and on time.

PREVENTION TO NOT GET CHICKEN POX

To prevent chicken pox, there are several things you can do, including:

• Get vaccinated against chickenpox. The vaccine does not guarantee that someone will not get chickenpox, but if infected, the symptoms experienced are generally not severe.
• Avoid contact with people with chicken pox.
• Live a clean and healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious food, getting enough sleep, not smoking, washing your hands frequently with water and soap or with hand sanitizer.