What Causes Chickenpox?

What Causes Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is caused by the Varicella Virus, also known as Human Herpes Virus Type 3. This is the same virus that causes shingles.

2 Main Symptoms of the Disease

Children with low fever, exhaustion and loss of appetite may have aches and pains similar to the flu, but the fever may not be present. Adults tend to have a high fever.
When the fever is present, a rash usually follows 1 day after the onset of the fever. The rash will start out as a flat red rash, then become a blister that is clear, watery, and itchy. After a few days, the blister will become a scab. The rash typically begins along the hairline, then spreads to the face and body, and sometimes the back. In some cases, blisters may also appear in the mouth, causing the tongue and mouth to rot. The sore throat and fever typically last for about 6-7 days, from the appearance of the blister until it becomes scaly.

Complications

Chickenpox rashes usually heal without leaving scars, unless there is an infection complication of bacteria. If the infection spreads, it can cause pus-filled rashes and scarring. In extreme cases, the infection may spread into the bloodstream, leading to septicemia and pneumonia. People with weakened immunity, such as those receiving cancer treatments or taking steroids, are at a higher risk of the infection spreading to their internal organs, such as the brain, lungs and liver.

Transmission

Chickenpox and shingles are typically spread by direct contact with water blisters or touching objects contaminated with blisters from someone with the virus. The virus can also be spread through inhalation of the aerosol from the blisters through the mucous membrane. The time from exposure to the virus to the onset of symptoms is known as the incubation period, and typically lasts 10-20 days.

Treatment

Chickenpox is typically a mild, self-limiting disease in children, but it is highly contagious, so they must miss school while they are infected. Treatment is symptomatic and should include rest, plenty of fluids, and Paracetamol to reduce fever if it is high. Aspirin should not be used in this situation as it can cause serious brain and liver symptoms. In most cases, the disease resolves without any complications and the patient fully recovers. However, complications can occur, leading to severe illness or even death.

Guideline

Take a shower with soap to keep your skin clean and keep your nails trimmed to avoid scratching.
Antiviral drugs should be taken within 24-48 hours of a rash appearing.

Things to Know

1. There is a chance of getting shingles, with an infection hiding in the body's Dorsal North Ganglia, and the risk of infection is around 15%.
The patient should be separated from other people during the infectious period, which lasts from 24 hours before the rash and blisters appear until they are completely dry, usually taking 6-7 days.
There is no restriction on what food can be eaten during this period.
Currently, there is a chickenpox vaccine available, but it is still relatively expensive in Thailand, so it is not yet a mandatory vaccine. However, there are recommendations for children to be vaccinated, with the vaccination starting at 1 year old with one dose, and a booster dose recommended at 4-6 years old. If the vaccination is started at 12, then two injections are needed, 4-8 weeks apart. Vaccination is administered subcutaneously, and it takes two weeks for immunity to develop.

Vaccines are generally safe, but there may be some side effects, such as fever and redness at the injection site in 5% of cases. In some cases, a rash similar to chickenpox may appear, but it is usually not severe, only 3–4%.

Vaccination can help to decrease the occurrence of chickenpox and lower the risk of shingles.

Prohibition

Vaccination is not recommended for women of reproductive age who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant within 3 months of receiving the injection. People receiving chemotherapy should not receive the injection during their treatment.

For more information, please contact

Department of Pediatrics, Vibhavadi Hospital

Tel. 0-2561-1111 press 1