Chickenpox

What is Chickenpox?

The chickenpox or better known as the 'smallpox' is a disease that comes from the infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It has an incubation period that can take up to 7-21 days before symptoms appear such as itching, fever, and rashes on the skin. While it is a widespread disease among young people, effective vaccine use or vaccine is effective in preventing it or the complications it causes.

Over 90% of all people will experience chickenpox before the age of 18. Most of these cases are not fatal, but it can cause serious symptoms such as inflammation of the brain, infections, and pneumonia. Approximately 1 in 60,000 people with smallpox can die

What are the symptoms of chicken pox?

After the incubation period of the varicella-zoster virus, the person with smallpox will experience a rash that usually comes from the chest or abdomen before it spreads to other parts of the body such as the neck, face, arm, and leg. Rashes will inflame and cause fluid and may last up to 10 days.


The rashes of smallpox are called vesicles when it comes to liquids. The vesicles eventually disappear after about two weeks. Aside from hives, it can also experience fever, headaches, and weakness.

What are the causes of chickenpox?

The chickenpox is caused by varicella zoster virus that is severely contagious. This virus can easily spread to the air caused by sneezing or coughing. It can also infect direct skin contact, especially when the fluid comes out of the vesicles. The chances of you being infected are when you are with someone who has the chickenpox in a room.

If you have not yet been given a chickenpox vaccine, it is a great opportunity to get you exposed to the person you are often with the chickenpox. This is also the case when you have no chicken pox yet.

What are the tests to know if you have the chickenpox?

Hives or discharge vesicles are the main signs of chicken pox. Before skin hives appear, it is not easy to determine if you have it. It is important to check with the doctor immediately when you are contacting an individual with a case of chickenpox.

Examinations include other symptoms such as fever, lethargy, headaches, etc., but the doctor can only be sure to check the fluid from the rash.

How is the chickenpox treated?

Treatment of chickenpox requires careful and proper treatment of its symptoms, especially in hives. It is important to avoid getting the rash out of the fluid so that the fluid does not get out and the infection gets worse. This is why the patient is advised to cut the nails or wear gloves to prevent the accidental eruption of the vesicle that causes the scar

Acyclovir consumption helps with the symptoms of chicken pox. It is often given to the elderly to avoid having serious complications. Additionally, valacyclovir and sorivudine can also be used. Paracetamol is also used as a treatment for fever. Additionally, carefully cleansing the skin using lukewarm water to prevent infection progression.

How to prevent chickenpox?

Preventing people with chickenpox is the main way to prevent them from getting infected. Cholesterol patients are advised to stay home to avoid being infected with people around who do not have this disease. It is also important to take care of hygiene and use of disinfectants especially if you know someone with the chickenpox. It is also important to the vaccine to prevent varicella-zoster virus infection. Remember that the vaccine is the primary reason why the case of chicken pox has dropped worldwide.