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Chickenpox
Signs and symptoms:
This acute, highly infectious disease is caused by a virus,
which is marked by eruptions on the skin. It mainly strikes
children under the age of ten years, and is one of the mildest
childhood infectious diseases. The child may have a raised
temperature, and feel ill for a day or two before the appearance
of spots. The spots appear as dark red pimples, which spread
from the chest and back to the face and scalp, developing
blisters within hours. Once the blisters have dried up, itchy
scabs form, which causes severe irritation with an intense
desire to scratch.
Chickenpox, if caught while pregnant can cause developmental
irregularities in the foetus, so it would be wise to avoid
contact with any sufferers, had you not had the disease before.
If you do happen to develop chickenpox whilst pregnant it is
advisable to contact your doctor immediately.
Chickenpox is a once-off disease, and those that have been
affected previously will not suffer with it again, there is
however an increased risk among those who have previously had
chickenpox, to develop shingles later in life. Once the
infection is overcome, recovery is complete - and the spots will
only leave scars if they are scratched or at some point became
infected.
Incubation period:
2 - 3 weeks
Infectious stage:
Patient considered to be infectious from the time of exposure
until the final scabs have fallen off.
Treatment:
- To relieve the itching, dab the spots with calamine
lotion, or add a cup of bicarbonate of soda to her bath water.
- Your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine, but do inform
him if the blisters show any signs of infection.
- If possible, expose your baby's skin to air, by leaving
the nappy off.
- Scabs that are scratched off do leave scars, so try and
keep the irritation to a minimum.
- Rest and isolation is important.
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