About this topic
Chickenpox is a common infection in children. It is caused by germs called varicella zoster. This infection causes red, itchy blisters all over the body. Chickenpox spreads easily from one person to others. People who have not had chickenpox can have serious health problems. This is especially true for women who are pregnant or those who have a weak immune system. ‚
Other signs of chickenpox include fever, headache, tiredness, and belly pain. This illness has no treatment. Keeping the fever down, giving liquids to drink, and rest are important. Keep your child away from others while recovering. Some people have never had chickenpox or the shot to protect them. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Do not give your child any drug that has aspirin in it. This may cause a very serious condition called Reyes syndrome.
- Keep your child's skin clean and dry.
- Do not let your child scratch the blisters. Avoid popping the blisters open. This will help lessen the risk of infection and scars. Keep your child's fingernails short. You may put gloves on your child's hands to prevent scratching.
- Apply calamine lotion on the blisters to relieve itching.
- Apply a cold compress or give your child a warm bath to help with itching.
- Offer your child lots of water to drink.
- The doctor may suggest a soft diet if blisters or sores are in the mouth.
- Your child may want to eat soft, cold, or bland foods if they have sores in the mouth. Avoid foods that are salty or have a lot of acid like pretzels or orange juice.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Lower fever
- Relieve itching
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Activities should be limited. Keep your child away from others until fully recovered. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Skin infection
- More severe infection if the immune system is weak
- Other health problems if immune system is weakened, like pneumonia
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
A chickenpox shot can be given to prevent the illness. ‚
To avoid the spread of infection: ‚
- Keep your child at home until after all the sores have crusted over. Your childs temperature needs to be normal as well.
- Keep your child away from other people who have not had chickenpox or the shot for it.
- Have your child cough or sneeze into the elbow.
- Wipe surfaces with a disinfectant. Wipe door handles, telephones, and tables.
- Separate your child's eating utensils and glasses from the rest of the family's utensils. This will help prevent the spread of infection.
- Ask your doctor when it is safe for your child to go to school or daycare. Your child may infect others until the last blister has healed.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of skin infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the a blister; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the blister.
- Trouble breathing
- Change in thinking clearly and with logic
- Feeling very tired or weak
- Sudden change in eyesight
- Your child is not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or is feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my child's skin and how to help ease itching.
- I can tell you ways to help prevent this infection.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has signs of a wound infection, trouble breathing, or feels very tired or weak.
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/skin/chicken_pox.html ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/686/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚