Chickenpox

 is caused by a viral infection from the Varicella-Zoster virus. It is a contagious disease that easily spreads among individuals, often affecting children and teenagers under the age of 15, but it can also affect adults.

Symptoms of Chickenpox ::

Classic symptoms of Chickenpox include widespread blisters on the body with itching. These blisters start on the face, abdomen, and back and spread to other areas of the body. Chickenpox  is accompanied by other symptoms such as headache, fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. These symptoms usually last for 4 to 7 days.
The severity of symptoms varies depending on the patient's age, often more severe in adults, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals who may require special care. The human body cannot completely eliminate the virus, as it remains dormant in the human body within the nerve ganglia. It may manifest as other conditions after a period of Chickenpox infection, such as shingles, also known as herpes zoster, and others.

Complications caused by the Varicella-Zoster virus:

Since the body cannot completely get rid of the virus, it can lead to several diseases if activated, including bacterial skin infections, encephalitis, cerebellar ataxia, pneumonia (from VZV or bacteria), and other unusual or rare medical problems. Severe complications can particularly arise from streptococcal superinfection and can even be fatal.
The immune system prevents the activation of these viruses, but in about 30% of patients, the virus may reactivate, leading to shingles. Shingles can be more severe in older adults, causing severe pain syndrome. Clinically, this condition presents as belt-like pain on the back with blister spread in parallel lines to the ribs. Other symptoms may include meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis, peripheral nerve paralysis, vasculitis, gastrointestinal diseases, and stroke at lower rates in patients.

Symptoms in vaccinated individuals:

People who have received the live attenuated vaccine for Varicella-Zoster virus may still get infected but with less severity. They may have fewer blisters that are only red spots, less fever, and shorter duration of symptoms compared to unvaccinated individuals.

Infection and disease transmission:

Chickenpox is highly contagious, especially among individuals in close contact with the patient at around 90% transmission rate. Transmission occurs through close contact with individuals infected with Chickenpox. The person can transmit the infection from one to two days before the onset of skin rash until all lesions start to crust over. Vaccinated individuals will have less skin rash and can still be contagious up to 24 hours after no new lesions appear.
Regarding shingles, contact with the patient's belt-like blisters can infect individuals who have never been exposed to Varicella-Zoster virus or those who have not been vaccinated. When infected, they will develop Chickenpox. The infection will not appear immediately and will take about two weeks from exposure to the virus for symptoms to appear. Getting Chickenpox once provides lifelong immunity. It is possible to get Chickenpox more than once, but this is uncommon.

Infection and disease transmission:

Chickenpox symptoms are usually clear in most patients. Some tests may be required (antibody tests), which are antibodies produced by the body against foreign agents like Chickenpox Other tests include Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test aimed at detecting the genetic sequence of the virus. A viral culture test involves taking cells from a swab and culturing them in a lab to search for the Varicella-Zoster virus. This test is less accurate than PCR. A direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test involves staining a swab from blister fluid with specific fluorescent dyes and examining it under a microscope to detect the virus.

Treatment of Chickenpox:

- There are several home remedies that can help alleviate symptoms and prevent skin infections: using calamine lotion with cold baths and adding baking soda or uncooked oatmeal to relieve some itching. Try to keep your nails away from the blisters and avoid scratching them. It is best to keep your nails short to prevent infection spread and increase the likelihood of blister scarring. Wash your hands thoroughly for at least twenty seconds.
Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used, but it is important not to use aspirin. The use of aspirin in children with Chickenpox has been associated with Reye's syndrome, a severe disease affecting the liver and brain that can be fatal. Instead, you can use other medications to reduce fever, such as acetaminophen. It is also recommended not to use ibuprofen if possible because it is associated with life-threatening bacterial skin infections.

When to seek medical care:

It is important to seek medical care for individuals infected with shingles or Chickenpox when:
1- The person has not been previously infected with Chickenpox or vaccinated.
2- Individuals with weakened immune systems (whether infected with human immunodeficiency virus or taking immune-suppressing medications or undergoing chemotherapy).
3- Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
4- Children under one year and over 12 years old who are more susceptible to serious complications than others.
5- It is important to inform the doctor if any of the following symptoms develop: fever lasting longer than 4 days, fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.9 degrees Celsius, any areas of the rash or any part of the body becoming very red, warm, or tender, or starting to leak pus (thick discolored fluid), as these symptoms may indicate a bacterial infection, difficulty waking up or confused behavior, difficulty walking, neck stiffness (inability to bend the neck), repeated vomiting, difficulty breathing accompanied by coughing, severe abdominal pain, bleeding within the skin blisters.
6- Sometimes antiviral medications are given to individuals at higher risk of developing serious complications, called acyclovir.

How to prevent Chickenpox:

Vaccination has shown good results in preventing the development of Chickenpox or even significantly reducing its symptoms.
The Chickenpox vaccine is safe and effective in protecting against Chickenpox. Vaccines, like any medication, may have side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own.
A single dose is given to children aged 12-14 months, and often doctors recommend two doses of the vaccine for children, teenagers, and older adults. Vaccine complications may include pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, fever, or mild skin rash.