Chicken pox

chicken-pox.jpg

Symptoms of chicken pox are:

 - Begins with a low grade fever,lkoss appetite and decreased activity.

- About two days later, your child will develop an itchy rash consisting of small red bumps that start on the scalp, face and trunk and then spread to the arms and legs (but may also occur in the mouth and genitalia).

- The bumps then become blisters with clear and then cloudy fluid, and then become open sores and finally crust over within about twenty four hours, but your child will continue to get new bumps for about four more days.

 Medication for chicken pox:

- There is no effective treatment for children who develop uncomplicated chickenpox, but if your child is given the Varivax vaccine within 72 hours of being exposed to someone with chickenpox, it may help prevent him from becoming infected.

- The only treatments are aimed at making your child more comfortable, and can include pain relievers, plenty of fluids, oatmeal baths, calamine lotion, and oral Benadryl for severe itchiness. Also keep your child’s fingernails cut short and allow him to wear loose fitting clothing.

-Treatment with acyclovir, an antiviral medication that can help to decrease the symptoms of chickenpox, should be considered for children at risk of developing a severe case of chickenpox. This includes children with pulmonary disorders, on steroid medications, or with immune system problems.

- Another medication, Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin (VZIG), can be given as a preventative medication to children at high risk for developing a severe case of chickenpox as soon as they are exposed to someone with chickenpox (and within 96 hours) to help prevent them from getting infected. High risk children who are considered candidates for VZIG include those with immune system problems, pregnant women who have never had chickenpox and newborns whose mother developed chickenpox within 5 days before delivery or two days after delivery.

- You should call your doctor if your child has chickenpox and the blisters become very red and tender, drain pus, if your child has high fever for more than 3-4 days or is unconsolable, has swollen and tender glands or if he is unable to drink and is becoming dehydrated.

Leave a Reply

2 Responses to “Chicken pox”

  1. Comment by Coldgansta

    I have kids and they havent had this yet.
    I know know what to look for.
    Or just wait until they coverd in spots:sad:

  2. Comment by shyam

    Well thats a really dreaded disease that any child can get.I myself had faced it once in my life.Hope no one gets that.