Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which causes itchy, red rashes on the body, fatigue and fever. Half of the children who contract chickenpox experience symptoms such as high fever, severe itching and uncomfortable rashes, dehydration or headache. 95% of chickenpox cases in our country are seen in people under the age of 15.
What are the Symptoms of Chickenpox?
The incubation period of the disease lasts 2 to 3 weeks and symptoms appear from the third week. It starts as the flu, with high fever and acne on the skin. Pimples then lead to itchy rashes. The rashes are itchy, come in different sizes, and contain fluid. It crusts and dries within a period of 5-6 days and loses its contagiousness. Rashes may also occur in the eyes and mouth.
The majority of chickenpox cases occur in people under 15 years of age. Wounds that look like acne heal by crusting after the blistering period, and the process usually takes a week. When the wounds break down and become infected due to itching, it causes permanent scars on the skin.
How is Chickenpox Transmitted?
It is an extremely contagious disease. Varicella zoster virus is a virus that survives in the air for 1-2 hours and multiplies very quickly. It is transmitted by direct contact or by other people breathing the virus into the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Within the first four days following contact, the virus settles in the upper respiratory tract lymph nodes and begins to multiply. On the seventh day, it continues to multiply by spreading to other organs, especially the liver and spleen. On the fourteenth day, the patient experiences general symptoms such as fever, headache, abdominal pain, and weakness.
Contagious Period of Chickenpox
The patient begins to treat all the symptoms in the body, starting 1-2 days before the first rash appears. Fluid-filled rashes continue to transmit the disease until they crust over. (6-8 days)
How many days does it take for chickenpox to go away?
Chickenpox is a disease that usually lasts for 5-10 days in children.
Chickenpox Scar. I stay ı?
Chickenpox heals without leaving a scar. If the wounds become infected while scratching, scars may remain.
Risks of Chickenpox
Chickenpox can rarely cause complications. Bacterial infections seen in different parts of the body such as the skin, subcutaneous tissues, lungs, joints, or in the blood are complications that may occur due to chickenpox.
How is Chickenpox Treated?
Water The majority of children with smallpox do not need anti-viral treatment. Treatment is to keep the fever under control and to prevent a secondary bacterial infection of the skin rash. In case of severe itching, a calamine lotion or an antihistamine medication can be used.
Does Chickenpox Recur?
Although life-long immunity is gained by having this disease, the virus remains dormant and develops into herpes zoster (herpes zoster) (herpes zoster) in adulthood. It may occur as shingles).
Anyone who has had chickenpox also has the risk of getting shingles. The virus acquired while having chickenpox settles in the nerve endings and remains silent after the disease is cured. It can reactivate in older ages, especially over the age of 50, and cause shingles, which occurs as a painful, unilateral rash.
If a person who has not had chickenpox before comes into close contact with a person with shingles, he or she may contract chickenpox. However, it is not possible to contract shingles directly from a person with shingles.
Chickenpox Vaccine
When is the Chickenpox Vaccine Given?
Vaccination is given to babies over 12 months old. . However, since a single dose of vaccine is not sufficient, it must be repeated at the age of 5. Since adults encounter this disease in childhood and acquire immunity, there is no epidemic among adults. People with weakened immune systems, those undergoing cancer treatment, and pregnant women may need to be vaccinated or receive medication because they are at risk.
Pregnant women should not be vaccinated because the effect of the chickenpox vaccine on the development of the baby is unknown. In order to prevent the risk of getting chickenpox during pregnancy, you should get vaccinated before getting pregnant and get vaccinated. Pregnancy should not be avoided for at least four weeks afterwards.
Side Effects of Chickenpox Vaccine
Local side effects such as redness, hardness and pain at the vaccination site are observed in 20% of vaccinated children.
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