Chickenpox is a viral infection common and benign in children 1-15 years. The disease is most serious in adults. It lasts about 14 days. When the patient recoversl, he is immune to this disease.
The patient has fever and headache. Two days later, a rash appears and sometimes itchy. The red spots caused by the rash becomes blisters. The blisters dry scabs in 4 days.
Chickenpox is contagious especially the first 2 days. It is spread by contact with a wound, saliva or droplets in the air from coughs of the sick. An infected person will feel the symptoms 14 days later.
There are few treatments for chickenpox. Avoid scratching to prevent a bacterial infection. Drink and sleep a lot. A drug may be recommended by the doctor to relieve the itching. Aspirin is highly recommended for people with chickenpox.
According to some studies, the higher the immune system is healthy, more the symptoms of chickenpox are mild.
The best protection against varicella remains vaccine. The vaccine is routine in many countries.
Following the illness, the virus can settle permanently and remain inactive for years. Then one day it occurs, the shingles appear.
26 avril 2010
| The text above is for information purposes only. Only a doctor can diagnose a disease. No treatment (medication or scheme) should be undertaken without consulting a health professional. |