All You Need To Know About Chickenpox

Did you know? 8 facts about chickenpox

1. Chickenpox commonly causes an illness that lasts about 5-10 days.
2. A person with chickenpox can have 250 to 500 blisters.
3. An infected person can be contagious as early as 1 to 2 days before the rash appears.
4. Possible complications include skin infection, pneumonia and brain damage.
5. In Singapore, nearly 2/3 of pre-school children, 39.5% of primary school and 29% of adolescents (13-17 years old) are susceptible to varicella (chickenpox) infection.
6. Chickenpox scars can be found most often on the abdomen, face and back.
7. Anti-viral prescription medications for chickenpox are usually most effective when taken within the first 24 hours of illness.
8. Chickenpox can be prevented through vaccination.

What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by a herpes virus called Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). Anyone can get chickenpox. However, it is more common in children. Chickenpox can be serious, especially in babies, adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

Chickenpox can also give rise to more severe problems in pregnant women. If a pregnant woman gets chickenpox it may result in stillbirths or birth defects, and the disease can spread to their babies during childbirth.

Symptoms of chickenpox

Typical symptoms that may appear 1 to 2 days before the rash include high fever, tiredness, headache and loss of appetite. The classic chickenpox symptom is a rash that turns into itchy blisters. This rash/spots may leave scars when scratched. The rash may start on the face, chest, and back. It can then spread to the rest of the body, including inside the mouth, eyelids or genital area. It usually takes about 1 week for all the blisters to become scabs.

In Singapore, nearly 2/3 of pre-school children, 39.5% of primary school children and 29% of adolescents (13-17 years old) are susceptible to varicella (chickenpox) infection.

Chickenpox is harmless to most people. However, those with impaired immune systems may experience serious complications, or even death.

Possible complications of chickenpox include:

• Skin infection
• Dehydration
• Brain damage
• Pneumonia
• Arthritis

Chickenpox spots are itchy and may leave scars when scratched. Up to 18.7% children may get chickenpox scars. These scars can be found most often on the abdomen, face and back.

Societal impact

• Absence from a paid job
• Absence from an unpaid job, e.g. not being able to carry out activities around the house
• Productivity loss at work: e.g. due to lack of sleep because of caring for the child
• Leisure time loss: e.g. due to a doctor visit

Prevention of chickenpox

Anyone can get chickenpox. Chickenpox can be prevented through vaccination.

Treatment and self-care of chickenpox

Treatment is directed at reducing the itch and discomfort of the rash. There are also anti-virals prescribed by the doctor to reduce the severity and duration of chickenpox. Anti-virals are usually most effective when taken within the first 24 hours of illness. However, most children do not need them.

Here are some tips for chickenpox self-care:

• Avoid scratching as it can cause scarring. Scratching also can affect the healing process and increase the risk of bacterial infection. To minimize damage due to scratching, put gloves on your child at night and trim the fingernails.
• Take cool baths to help relieve itching especially for children. Also, dabbing the spots with calamine lotion may help relieve the itching.

Seek immediate medical attention if:

• The rash spreads to one or both eyes.
• The rash gets very red, warm or tender, indicating a possible secondary bacterial skin infection.
• The rash is accompanied by dizziness, disorientation, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, tremors, loss of muscle coordination, worsening cough, vomiting, stiff neck or high fever.