by Usha Krishnan

Created on: June 07, 2008   Last Updated: June 09, 2008

Everyone I know, who is 30 years and older, has had chicken pox in their infancy or childhood. My two preschool children may or may not get it. But the fact remains that chicken pox is one of the most popular, not to mention highly contagious infection floating around.

Chicken pox is caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus. Once a person is infected, the virus usually has an incubation period of 2 weeks before the rash appears. There are no symptoms present at this stage and the person become contagious only just before the symptoms begin to appear. At its initial stages, chickenpox appears as itchy blister like spots, all over the body, which may be accompanied by flu like symptoms, including headaches, joint aches, fatigue and fever. Treatment will get rid of the symptoms, but as it's a contagious infection, the patient should be isolated until all symptoms have disappeared.

In 1995, the varicella vaccine was made available and it is now usually given to children between the ages of 12 -15 months. A further booster shot is recommended for children between the ages of 4-6 years of age. While chickenpox infection is milder in children, in adults the symptoms can be far more severe. The virus itself can lie dormant for a number of years, only to make itself apparent at a later time in the form of shingles or herpes zoster.

Chickenpox can be especially dangerous to pregnant women and care should be taken to stay away from anyone known to have the infection, more so during the earlier stages of pregnancy. A pregnant woman who contracts chickenpox will ensure that her fetus is put at risk for birth defects, including brain damage, damage to the body and even skin disorders.

Children are usually treated for chickenpox with paracetamol to ease any fever and antihistamines to relieve the itching. Often calamine lotion is used alongside this. Aspirin should not be given to young children as it increases the risk of contracting the potentially fatal Reye's Syndrome. In adults, antiviral drugs are the usual prescribed treatment.

Along with medication, itchiness and fever can be relieved by trying some of the following:

Colloidal oatmeal: Oatmeal baths are a great way of relieving dry and itchy skin. Ready oatmeal baths are available at all major drugstores or you can make your own by grinding oatmeal to a fine powder. Taking a lukewarm oatmeal bath as often as possible may bring ease to itchy skin.

Use soft cotton: For both bath towels and clothes. Avoid anything that is tight or constricting and try and stick to natural fabrics that breathe.

Calamine lotion: Probably the most used remedy, applying it to the body (avoiding the eyes/mouth) should reduce the itchiness.

Consume soft food: Chickenpox in the mouth can make chewing and even drinking difficult. Ensure the patient has soft, mashed food and avoid anything that is highly acidic or with a high salt content.

And finally, be patient. The infection will run its course and soon be over, so use this time to rest and relax and allow your body to rebuild its defence systems.

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