Minor Illness | Chicken Pox

CHICKEN POX

Group 1 8C :

Dinar Jihan Afifah

Faricha Tresnaning Adinda

Indra Permana Putra

Iqbal Amrullah

A.    Overview

Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever. Chickenpox can be serious, especially in babies, adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

It spreads easily from infected people to others who have never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox spreads in the air through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread by touching or breathing in the virus particles that come from chickenpox blisters.

B.    Signs and Simptoms

Anyone who hasn’t had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine can get the disease. The classic symptom of chickenpox is a rash that turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that eventually turn into scabs.

Other typical symptoms that may begin to appear 1-2 days before rash include:

a.     Mild fever

b.     Tiredness

c.      Loss of appetite

d.     Headache

C.     Incubation Period

Chickenpox most commonly causes an illness that lasts about 1-5 days.

D.    Prevention and Treatment

1.     Prevention

The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccine. Children, adolescents, and adults should have two doses of chickenpox vaccine.

2.     Treatment

1.     Avoid scratching or rubbing the itchy areas. Keep fingernails short to avoid damaging the skin from scratching.

2.     Wear cool, light, loose bedclothes. Avoid wearing rough clothing, particularly wool, over an itchy area.

3.     Take lukewarm baths using little soap and rinse thoroughly. Try a skin-soothing oatmeal or cornstarch bath.

4.     Apply a soothing moisturizer after bathing to soften and cool the skin.

5.     Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat and humidity.

6.     Try over-the-counter oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), but be aware of possible side effects such as drowsiness.

7.     Try over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream on itchy areas.

8.     Take medicine from the doctor

E.     Healing Period

The healing period of chicken pox usually occurs 1 week until the scabs is really peeling off.