CHICKEN POX (Vericella) - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

CHICKEN POX (VERMICELLA)

Chicken Pox is a highly contagious viral disease with a variable onset (Benenson 1995).It is also called vermicelli and it by varicella zoster virus. Varicella is a herpes simplex virus (HSV) of the same type that causes shingles and children and adults. The disease causes itchy rash and blisters all over the body and it is common in children, but most people will get chickenpox at some point in their lives if they have not had the chickenpox vaccine. The rash progresses from erythematous rash to macular rash, then a papular and finally vesicular. Eventually the vesicle scab and crust. The rash can be at stage at different places on the body and generally begins on the head and spreads to the rest of the body. The person who has chickenpox can spread the virus even before he or she has any symptoms. Chickenpox is most easily spread from 2 to 3 days before the rash appears until all the blisters have crusted over.

Vericella Chichenpox

CAUSES OF CHICKEN POX

Chickenpox is caused by a virus and this virus is transmitted through thus you can get it from an infected person who sneezes, coughs and also you can get it through direct contact if you touch the fluid from a chickenpox blister.

INCIDENCE OF CHICKEN POX

It both , most cases in children between 5 and 10 years

CAUSATIVE ORGANISM OF CHICKEN POX

Varicella-zoster virus

SYMPTOMS OF CHICKEN POX

The first symptoms of chickenpox are fever, a headache, and a sore throat. You and your child would have vesicular rash, malaise fatigue. The chickenpox rash usually appears about 1 or 2 days after the first symptoms start.

HOW TO  TREAT CHICKEN POX

1. Acyclovir are used to treat the disease

2. Calamine lotion is used to reduce itching 2-3 times daily.

3. Acetaminophen are given for relieving fever and pain

4. Varicella-zoster immune globin are given to reduce the symptoms of the disease.

5. Antibiotics are used to prevent secondary bacterial infections.

MANAGEMENT OF CHICKEN POX

1. Maintain isolation during the communicable stage

2. Encourage fluid intake for hydration

3. Prevent secondary skin infection by keeping fingernails cut, by keeping the skin clean and dry and by keeping bedclothes and linen clean and dry.

4. Children should be provided with activities to keep them occupied and distracted from scratching.

5. Provide skin care and comfort measures. Use calamine lotion to relieve itching

6. Remove loose crusts that rub and irritate skin

7. Observe an immune compromised patient for manifestations of complications such as pneumonia and report them immediately

8. Administer all prescribed drugs as ordered

PREVENTION OF CHICKEN POX

Primary Prevention

1. In hospital, cases of chicken pox should be isolated from other patients.
2. People should be encouraged for the vaccination. (varivax)
3. All cases must be carefully investigated for an outbreak of chicken pox.
4. People should be educated to avoid over crowded places during an epidermic.

Secondary Prevention

1. Give antibiotics only if lesions are infected.
2. Apply calamine lotion 2-3 times daily.
3. Cut finger nails to prevent scratching.
4. Treat pain and fever with paracetamol syrup.
5. Avoid aspirin in children because of risk of Reye’s syndrome

Tertiary Prevention

1. Explain the nature of the disease and its prevention to the patient and significant orders.
3. Parents must ensure that the child is not stigmatise since this could affect his psychosocial development.
   4. Ensure adequate ventilation
   5.  Encourage good nutrition (balance diet).
    6. Encourage caregivers to comply with treatment.
   
   7. Report signs of complications.

COMPLICATIONS OF CHICKEN POX

1. Secondary bacterial infection such as abscesses and furuncle.
2. Pneumonia
3. Encephalitis.
4. Hepatitis.
5. Reye’s syndrome.
6. Pnuemonia
7. Meningitis.