How to Prevent Chickenpox Properly

Definition of Chicken Pox

Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the Varicella zoster virus. This disease is characterized by bumps filled with fluid that feels very itchy all over the body.

Chickenpox (chickenpox) was once a common disease in children. However, after the chickenpox vaccination was carried out since the 1990s, cases of chickenpox began to decrease gradually.

Chickenpox can still cause serious complications in infants, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems, such as people with HIV/AIDS.

Causes and Symptoms of Chicken Pox

Chickenpox in medical terms is known as varicella. The cause is the Varicella zoster virus. This virus is easily transmitted through splashes of saliva, or direct contact with fluids that come from the rash.

This disease is more susceptible to attack children under 12 years of age. Several other factors that can increase the risk of getting chickenpox are never having had chickenpox before and have not received the chickenpox vaccine.

Symptoms of chickenpox appear 10−21 days after exposure to the virus. The main symptom of chickenpox is red, fluid-filled bumps on the face, chest, or back, which can spread all over the body. About 2 days before the hives appear, chickenpox is characterized by other complaints, such as:

• Fever
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Weak
• Loss of appetite

This disease usually heals after 5-10 days if the sufferer's immune system is good.

Treatment and Prevention of Chicken Pox

Chickenpox treatment aims to reduce the severity of symptoms, with or without the help of drugs. There are several efforts that can be made to relieve the symptoms, namely wearing clothes that are loose and made from soft materials, and not scratching the rash or chickenpox sores.

Prevention of chickenpox is to get the varicella vaccine or chickenpox vaccination. In Indonesia itself, the smallpox vaccine is not included in the complete routine immunization list, but it is still recommended to be given.

Causes of Chicken Pox

Chickenpox is caused by the Varicella zoster virus. Varicella is a herpes virus that is categorized into a group of organisms that cause infections such as genital herpes.

The virus can be transmitted very easily and quickly through the air when the sufferer coughs or sneezes, as well as direct contact with mucus, saliva or fluids from the rash. This infection can occur 1–2 days before the rash appears and will remain contagious until all of the blisters have dried.

Newborns of mothers who have not been vaccinated against smallpox are at risk of getting chickenpox. The risk of chickenpox is also higher in people with the following conditions:

• Never had chickenpox
• Have not received the chickenpox vaccine
• Have a weak immune system, for example due to suffering from HIV/AIDS, cancer, using corticosteroid drugs, or undergoing chemotherapy
• Work in public facilities, such as in schools or hospitals
• Under 12 years old

Symptoms of Chicken Pox

The symptom of chickenpox is a blistering rash that appears 10–21 days after exposure to the Varicella virus. Generally, the rash first appears on the chest, back, or face, then spreads throughout the body. In severe conditions, the rash can even spread to the mouth, eyelids and genital area.

In addition to rashes, people with chickenpox can experience several complaints, such as:

• Fever with a temperature of 38.3–38.8oC
• Sore throat
• Mild stomach ache
• Headache
• Fatigue and weakness (malaise)
• Loss of appetite
• When to See a Doctor
• Chickenpox generally does not require special treatment, because it can heal by itself. However, a doctor's examination should still be done if you or your child has a rash and other symptoms of chickenpox.

In addition, be aware if certain symptoms of chickenpox appear, in the form of:

• Fever more than 4 days
• Severe cough and shortness of breath
• The rash becomes very red, swollen, painful to the touch, feels warm, and oozes pus
• It is difficult to eat and drink, causing dehydration
• Severe headache
• Often drowsy and difficult to wake up
• The rash spreads to one or both eyes
• Constant vomiting
• Looks dazed
• Stiff neck

Diagnosis of Chicken Pox

In most cases, doctors can diagnose chickenpox by looking at the characteristics of the rash on the patient's body. However, the doctor will also ask if there are other symptoms accompanying the rash.

To further confirm the diagnosis, the doctor can also carry out supporting examinations, such as:

• Blood test
• The doctor will take a sample of the patient's blood to be examined in the laboratory. The goal is to confirm the presence of a viral infection.
• Viral culture
• Viral culture is done by taking a fluid sample from the rash on the patient's body. The fluid sample will then be examined in the laboratory to detect the presence of the Varicella virus.

Chicken Pox Treatment

Chickenpox treatment methods will be adjusted to the symptoms experienced by the patient. Some of the treatment methods are:

Administration of drugs

Your doctor may prescribe an ointment or oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine, to relieve itching. However, please note, these drugs can cause side effects that are quite severe. Therefore, doctors may also prescribe a new generation of antihistamines, such as:

• Loratadine
• Cetirizine
• Fexofenade

Meanwhile, to relieve other symptoms, such as headaches, fever, fatigue, or muscle aches, doctors will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as paracetamol. If you want to use over-the-counter pain relievers, consult your doctor first.

It is important to remember, aspirin should not be used in people with chickenpox, because it can cause Reye's syndrome. The use of other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, is also not recommended, because it can trigger secondary infections or tissue damage.

Please note, the habit of scratching chicken pox rash can cause bacterial infections. If the patient has a secondary bacterial infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

Meanwhile, for people with chickenpox who are at risk of complications, the doctor will give antiviral drugs to drink, such as:

• Valacyclovir
• Acyclovir
• Famciclovir

Although it cannot cure chickenpox, the medicines for chickenpox above can inhibit the activity of the virus so that the symptoms that appear are milder. That way, the patient's immune system can recover more quickly.

Self care

In patients with good immune systems, chickenpox does not require special treatment. However, there are several natural remedies as well as independent efforts that can be done to help relieve symptoms, including:

• Drink plenty of water and eat foods that are soft and not salty or sour, especially if there is a smallpox rash in the mouth.
• Avoid scratching the chickenpox rash or sores, as they increase the risk of infection. To prevent this, cut your nails short or wear gloves, especially at night.
• Wear clothes made of soft and light.
• Take warm baths 3–4 times a day for a few days after the rash appears. After that, dry it by patting it dry with a towel.
• Use calamine lotion on the itchy area.
• Compress rashes or wounds with cold water to relieve itching.
• Get enough rest and avoid contact with other people to prevent the spread of chickenpox.

Chicken Pox Complications

After recovering from chickenpox, the Varicella zoster virus will remain in the nerve cells. The virus may reactivate several years later in the form of shingles.

The appearance of snakepox can be experienced by adults who have had chickenpox, especially those who have weak immune systems.

Complications of chickenpox are prone to be experienced by newborns, pregnant women, adults who have never had chickenpox, and people with weak immune systems. Some of these complications include:

• Secondary bacterial infection of the skin layers
• Blood stream infection (sepsis)
• Lung infection (pneumonia), especially in smokers
• Infection or inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
• Pockmarks or scar tissue
• Dehydration
• Death

While chickenpox infection during pregnancy has the risk of causing complications to the fetus, such as:

• Low birth weight
• Growth disorders
• Small head size
• Impaired vision
• Intellect disorder

Chickenpox that occurs a week before delivery or a few days after the baby is born has the risk of causing serious infections that can be life-threatening.

Chicken Pox Prevention

An effective way to prevent chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccination. This vaccination is recommended for children and adults who have not received the chickenpox vaccine.

In young children, the first chickenpox vaccination will be given at the age of 12-15 months, and the follow-up vaccine is given when the child is 4-6 years old. Meanwhile for adolescents and adults, the chickenpox vaccine is given in two doses with a time difference of at least 28 days.

In people who have had chickenpox, vaccination does not need to be done. This is because after recovery, the body will form antibodies against the Varicella virus so that it is less likely to get chickenpox again. Even if you are infected again, the symptoms that appear will be milder.

Please note, chickenpox vaccination is not recommended for pregnant women, people with weak immune systems, and people who are allergic to gelatin or neomycin. If you have these conditions, avoid contact with people with chickenpox to prevent transmission of the virus.

If a family member has chickenpox, there are several things you can do to prevent transmission of the infection, namely:

• Isolate the patient in another room.
• Avoid contact with sufferers, because the virus can spread through the air.
• Wash hands with soap and running water after every contact with the patient.
• Avoid sharing cutlery with sufferers.
• Always clean and disinfect furniture surfaces in the home area.
• Remind family members who are infected with chickenpox not to scratch the rash, because the fluid in the rash is easily contagious.
• Cut the sufferer's nails or have him wear cotton gloves, to reduce the risk of skin damage from scratching.
• Advise the sufferer to stay at home until all the rashes are dry.