Although it is more serious in adults, most people will still make a full recovery from the chickenpox virus. For example, your risk of developing pneumonia is slightly higher if you're pregnant, especially if you smoke. The further you are into your pregnancy, the more serious the risk of pneumonia tends to be.
If you get chickenpox while you're pregnant, there is also a small but significant risk to your unborn baby. If you are infected with chickenpox during the first 28 weeks of your pregnancy, there is a risk that your unborn baby could develop a condition known as foetal varicella syndrome FVS. This syndrome is rare. If you are infected with chickenpox 7 days before or 7 days after giving birth, your newborn baby may develop a more serious type of chickenpox.
In a few severe cases, this type of chickenpox can be fatal. See your GP urgently if you're pregnant or have given birth in the last 7 days and you think you may have chickenpox, or if you've been exposed to someone who has chickenpox. If your immune system is weak or does not work properly, you are more susceptible to developing infections such as chickenpox. This is because your body produces fewer antibodies to fight off the infection.
Immunosuppressive medication such as steroid tablets may be used if, for example, you have an inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis , lupus or certain blood conditions. If you have a weakened immune system, you're also more at risk of developing complications from chickenpox. These complications include:. See your GP urgently if you have a weakened immune system and you've been exposed to the chickenpox virus. For more information, read about how to stop the spread of chickenpox.
If your child has chickenpox,it is recommended that you inform their school or nursery, and keep them at home for 5 days. If you have chickenpox, stay off work and at home until you're no longer infectious, which is until the last blister has burst and crusted over. This usually happens five or six days after the rash begins. If you or your child have recently been exposed to the chickenpox virus, you may not be able to visit friends or relatives in hospital.
Telephone the ward to check first. If you or your child have chickenpox, you may not be allowed to fly until 6 days after the last spot has appeared. You and your child should be safe to fly once you're past the infectious stage and all of the blisters have crusted over. However, it's best to check the policy of your airline first.
Inform the airline as soon as chickenpox is diagnosed. It is also important to let your travel insurer know if you or your child has chickenpox. You need to make sure that you'll be covered if you have to delay or cancel your holiday, or if you need to extend your stay until your child is well enough to fly home.
Chickenpox can sometimes be spread through contact with objects that have been contaminated with the virus, such as children's toys, bedding or clothing. If someone in your household has chickenpox, you can help stop the virus spreading by wiping any objects or surfaces with a sterilising solution and making sure that any infected clothing or bedding is washed regularly. There is a chickenpox vaccine that is used to protect people who are most at risk of a serious chickenpox infection or of passing the infection on to someone who is at risk.
The vaccine is not suitable for pregnant women. Avoid getting pregnant for 3 months after having the vaccine. The vaccine is also not suitable for people with weakened immune systems. Home Illnesses and conditions Infections and poisoning Chickenpox. Chickenpox See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About chickenpox 2. Symptoms of chickenpox 3. Causes of chickenpox 4. Diagnosing chickenpox 5. Treating chickenpox 6. Complications of chickenpox 7.
Preventing the spread of chickenpox. About chickenpox Chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness that most children catch at some point. Children usually catch chickenpox in winter and spring, particularly between March and May. What to do To prevent spreading the infection, keep children off nursery or school until all their spots have crusted over.
Chickenpox treatment Chickenpox in children is considered a mild illness, but your child will probably feel pretty miserable and irritable while they have it. In most children, the blisters crust up and fall off naturally within one to two weeks.
When to see a doctor For most children, chickenpox is a mild illness that gets better on its own. However, some children can become more seriously ill with chickenpox and need to see a doctor. Contact your GP straight away if your child develops any abnormal symptoms, such as: if the blisters on their skin become infected if your child has a pain in their chest or has difficulty breathing Chickenpox in adults Chickenpox may be a childhood illness, but adults can get it too.
Who's at special risk? They include: pregnant women newborn babies people with a weakened immune system These people should seek medical advice as soon as they are exposed to the chickenpox virus or they develop chickenpox symptoms. Chickenpox in pregnancy Chickenpox occurs in approximately 3 in every 1, pregnancies.
Chickenpox and shingles Once you have had chickenpox, you usually develop antibodies to the infection and become immune to catching it again. It's possible to catch chickenpox from someone with shingles, but not the other way around. Is there a vaccine against chickenpox? Symptoms of chickenpox The most commonly recognised chickenpox symptom is a spotty, blistering red rash that can cover the entire body. Chickenpox spots The spots normally appear in clusters and tend to be: behind the ears on the face over the scalp on the chest and belly on the arms and legs However, the spots can be anywhere on the body, even inside the ears and mouth, on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and inside the nappy area.
After 1 to 2 weeks, the crusting skin will fall off naturally. Feeling unwell Before the rash appears, you or your child may have some mild flu -like symptoms, including: feeling sick a high temperature fever of 38C Unusual symptoms Most healthy children and adults recover from chickenpox with no lasting ill-effects simply by resting, just as with a cold or the flu.
However, some children and adults are unlucky and have a more severe bout. Contact your GP straight away if you or your child develop any abnormal symptoms, such as: the skin surrounding the blisters becoming red and painful pain in the chest or difficulty breathing signs of dehydration , such as fewer wet nappies, drowsiness and cold hands and feet In cases such as this, prescription medicine or hospital treatment may be needed.
Causes of chickenpox Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. How you catch the virus The chickenpox virus is spread most easily from someone who has the rash. Shingles If you have not had chickenpox before, you can also catch chickenpox from someone with shingles an infection caused by the same virus.
Diagnosing chickenpox You or your child should not usually need any medical tests to diagnose chickenpox. When to contact your GP 1.
See your GP if you're not sure whether you or your child have chickenpox. Having a blood test Once you have contacted your GP, you may need a test to see if you're already immune from chickenpox. Treating chickenpox There is no cure for chickenpox, and the virus usually clears up by itself without any treatment. Painkillers If your child is in pain or has a high temperature fever , you can give them a mild painkiller, such as paracetamol available over the counter in pharmacies.
Never give your child aspirin if you suspect or know that they have chickenpox. Keeping hydrated It is important for children and adults with chickenpox to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Stop the scratching Chickenpox can be incredibly itchy, but it's important for children and adults to not scratch the spots, to avoid future scarring.
Cool clothing If your child has a fever, or if their skin is sore and aggravated, dress them appropriately so that they don't get too hot or too cold. Stronger treatments Antiviral medicine Aciclovir is an antiviral medicine that is sometimes given to people with chickenpox.
Immunoglobulin treatment Immunoglobulin is a solution of antibodies that is taken from healthy donors. This includes: pregnant women newborn babies people with weakened immune systems In the case of pregnant women, immunoglobulin treatment also reduces the risk of the unborn baby becoming infected.
As the supply of VZIG is limited, it will only be considered if a high-risk person has: been significantly exposed to the virus — significant exposure could be face-to-face contact with someone who has chickenpox been in the same room for 15 minutes with someone who has chickenpox had a blood test to confirm that they've not had chickenpox before In some cases, newborn babies may be given immunoglobulin treatment without having a blood test first.
Complications of chickenpox Complications of chickenpox are rare in healthy children. Other complications in children Very rarely, chickenpox can lead to more serious complications involving the nervous system brain and spinal cord in children.
It's important not to expose other kids in the office — for some of them, a chickenpox infection could cause serious complications. A virus causes chickenpox, so antibiotics can't treat it. But antibiotics are needed if bacteria infect the sores. This can happen when kids scratch and pick at the blisters.
An antiviral medicine might be prescribed for people with chickenpox who are at risk for complications. The depends on the:. Never give aspirin to kids with chickenpox. It can lead to a serious illness called Reye syndrome. Most chickenpox infections don't need special medical treatment. But sometimes, problems can happen. Call the doctor if your child:. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Chickenpox? What Causes Chickenpox? Is Chickenpox Contagious? Someone with chickenpox can spread the virus: through droplets in the air by coughing or sneezing in their mucus, saliva spit , or fluid from the blisters Chickenpox is contagious from about 2 days before the rash starts until all the blisters are crusted over.
What Problems Can Happen? Some people are more at risk for complications from chickenpox, including: pregnant women newborns born to mothers who had chickenpox patients with leukemia kids receiving medicines that suppress the immune system anyone with immune system problems If they are exposed to chickenpox, they might be given a medicine zoster immune globulin to make the illness less severe. Can Chickenpox Be Prevented?
Doctors recommend that kids get the chickenpox vaccine as: a first shot when they're 12—15 months old a booster shot when they're 4—6 years old People 6 years of age and older who have never had chickenpox and aren't vaccinated can and should get two doses of the vaccine. How Is Chickenpox Diagnosed?
Doctors usually can diagnose chickenpox by looking at the telltale rash. How Is Chickenpox Treated? Chickenpox Varicella. Section Navigation.
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. Related Pages. Chickenpox Signs and Symptoms. Related Links. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.
Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website.
0コメント