Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a common
childhood infection. In the United States, most children
between 3 to 9 years old get chickenpox. A shot (vaccination)
to prevent the disease is now available.
Causes
Chickenpox is caused by the
varicella virus. The disease is spread by close contact with an
infected person. It may be 14 to 16 days after exposure before
the child gets sick.
Signs/Symptoms
Fever, headache, and tiredness
are the first signs. Many small, red bumps then appear and turn
into water blisters. These itchy blisters break and crust over.
New blisters keep forming for 3 or 4 days. Your child
can give the disease to others until all the sores are crusted
over. This can take about 1 week. It takes about 2 weeks for
all the scabs to fall off.
Care
There is no cure for chickenpox. Antibiotics do not help.
The child needs plenty of rest and liquids. Lukewarm baths and
calamine lotion may help the itching.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
For fever: DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN to a child with
chickenpox who is under 18 years of age. This could lead to
brain and liver damage (Reye's syndrome). Instead, give the
child acetaminophen. Carefully check for aspirin on the
label of any over-the-counter
medicines.
For itching:
Your doctor can prescribe medicine for itching. You
also may use an over-the-counter antihistamine
product.
You may use calamine lotion on the sores. Follow
the directions on the label. Do not use on sores in the
mouth.
Give the child baths in lukewarm water for the
first few days. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the water.
Let your child bathe for about 30 minutes. Do this
several times a day. You also may use an oatmeal bath
product that you can buy at a drug
store.
Try to keep your child from scratching the rash or
picking off the scabs. Keep the child's fingernails cut
short. Put socks on the child's hands at night. Use a soap
that kills germs for handwashing.
If your child has painful sores in the mouth, make
tea twice as strong as usual, add a little sugar, and use
for a mouthwash or gargle.
Keep the child quiet and cool. Sweating and becoming
warm makes itching worse. Keep the child out of the
sun.
Give plenty of fluids. Good choices are cool liquids
such as water, milk, and apple juice. Avoid salty foods and
orange juice.
Keep your child home from school or daycare for about
1 week. The child should stay away from babies and pregnant
women.
Call Your Doctor If...
The child has sores in the eyes.
The sores get bigger or have pus in
them.
Seek Care Immediately If...
The child starts vomiting, acts confused or too
sleepy, or has seizures.
The child has trouble breathing or is breathing very
fast.
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