Chickenpox (varicella)

What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a common childhood disease which causes fever and a rash consisting of small, fluid-filled blisters or vesicles.

The disease is very contagious and people living in the same house commonly infect each other.

Usually, the younger a child is, the less he/she will be affected by the disease.

Newborns and small babies are normally protected by antibodies from the mother.

Causes

Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella zoster virus.

The incubation time from infection to outbreak of the disease is 2 to 3 weeks.

The virus causing chickenpox can also cause Herpes zoster or shingles.

This disease rarely occurs in children.

Treatment / What can you do?

A bacterial infection in the lesions should be treated with antibiotics.

Give the child pain relievers and apply lotion to soothe the itching.

A cold compress may also relieve the itching.

Keep your child's fingernails cut short to prevent scratching, which could lead to infection.

Keep the child away from others until the rash has dried up completely.

Prevention

There is a vaccine against chickenpox, but it is not included in the general vaccination programme for children.

Children who, for any reason, have decreased immunity, such as those on cytostatic treatment, can be protected with immunoglobulins, i.e. antibodies against the virus.

These children should also be given antiviral medicines if they develop chickenpox.