Chickenpox in Children
5 min read
Last Updated on January 15, 2022 by Journal Fact
Caregivers have to remain cautious about the child’s overall mental and physical health. If they notice symptoms such as rash all over the body of the child, then they should consult the best child specialist in Lahore. The signs may associate with chickenpox which may be life-threatening. Hence, it is best to consult the specialist for diagnosis and opt for the best available treatment.
Chickenpox and Its Symptoms
Chickenpox is a viral infection, also known as varicella. It is cause by the varicella-zoster virus and is highly contagious. The parents or caregivers can notice rash and blisters on the child’s body, causing extreme discomfort. The common symptoms include:
- The parents can notice pink and red bumps on the body of the child.
- The blisters on the body are fill with fluid.
Causes of Chickenpox
Children; who come in contact with an infected person are more likely to suffer from chickenpox. It is cause due to virus varicella-zoster. Children below the age of 2 are more likely to contract the virus. Also, if the parents of the child have never contracted the virus are at a higher risk of suffering from the condition. Moreover, children with weak immunity can suffer from severe symptoms.
Importance of Vaccination
The children vaccinated for the condition are at a lower risk of contracting the virus. However, even if they suffer from the condition, the symptoms are not severe, and the recovery process is smooth and rapid.
Complications Associated with Chickenpox
The known complications include:
In slow recovery, the child may suffer from sepsis. It is a condition in which the skin and tissues become infected.
The child may suffer from dehydration and phenomena.
It can cause inflammation in the brain and can be life-threatening.
The child may suffer from toxic shock syndrome, which is life-threatening. The child suffers from high fever and low blood pressure causing further complications.
As part of the Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP), your child will get free immunisation against chickenpox at 18 months old (unless she has already had chickenpox) or in year 7 of secondary school (if she hasn’t had a chickenpox immunisation or infection).
Tests for Diagnosing Chickenpox
- Complete Physical Examination: The rashes and blisters will help the doctor evaluate the severity of the condition.
- Blood Testing: The blood test help detect the presence of antibodies.
- Like chickenpox, shingles is caused by the Varicella zoster virus. If you’ve previously had chickenpox and the virus is reactivated, you can get shingles.
Symptoms of chickenpox
- Children infected with the chickenpox virus don’t usually have symptoms until 2-3 weeks after contact.In children, the illness usually starts with a general feeling of tiredness, as well as a fever and swollen glands. Over the next 3-5 days, a rash breaks out.
Chickenpox complications and risks
- Healthy children mostly have an itchy rash but no other complications. Rarely, chickenpox sores can get infected with bacteria. The bacteria can go on to cause other diseases like pneumonia and encephalitis.There are some children who are at high risk if they come into contact with chickenpox. The virus can affect them very severely. These children include:
- These children need to be kept away from people with chickenpox or people who might have been infected with chickenpox but aren’t yet showing symptoms.Does your child need to see a doctor about chickenpox?
You should take your child to the GP if you’re worried your child might have chickenpox.You should also talk with your GP if your child is in one of a high-risk groups above and has been in contact with someone who could have chickenpox.
Women who are pregnant are also at high risk and should see a GP.
Treatment for chickenpox
- Children with chickenpox usually need treatment only to relieve symptoms like itch and fever.To help with the itch, soak gauze pads in bicarbonate of soda and water and put the pads over the sores. Creams like calamine lotion might also help. If your child really can’t stand the itching, your doctor might prescribe an antihistamine medicine.
Give paracetamol according to directions if your child is miserable with a fever.
Make sure your child gets plenty of fluids and rest.
If your child has chickenpox, it can help to keep his nails short. This way, if he does scratch, the sores are less likely to get infected. You could also put mittens on younger children.
Children who have very severe chickenpox and who need to be hospitalised might be given anti-viral medication, most commonly acyclovir.
- At first, this rash appears as red spots, which develop into crops of small blisters over the chest, back, tummy or face. These soon appear on the rest of the body, and might even come up in the mouth or ears, or on the genitals or eyes. The blisters are extremely itchy, and new ones form as older ones scab over and dry up. The scabs can take several weeks to fall off.
The rash doesn’t leave any scars unless the blisters or scabs are scratched, or the sores get infected.
Chickenpox symptoms tend to be much milder in children than in adults.
Effective Treatment Options
The treatment options are limited, and most of the time, the child requires no medication. However, the symptoms may last for two weeks, and the medications; that help reduce the severity of the symptoms include:
- Use of Antipyretics: The medication help control the fever.
- Use of Antihistamines: They help reduce itching. It allows the child to remain calm.
- Use of Antivirals: The medication helps reduce the reproduction of the virus.
- Use of Moisturizers: The use of lotions and moisturizers with calamine help reduce the itchiness on the body.
Dietary Guideline
The child should consume fruits and vegetables, such as; bananas, cabbage, carrots, and apples. Also, the caregiver should not give the child dairy products and junk food. Healthy organic food would allow the child to build immunity to fight against the virus.
Parents should visit the best child specialist in Islamabad if the child exhibits any correlating symptoms with chickenpox. The specialist can guide the parents regarding the physical health of their child and suitable treatment plan. Choosing the best treatment option would allow a smooth and rapid recovery.
About Author
