Chickenpox: Causes, symptoms, and Treatment

Chickenpox, an infectious disease caused by the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in which red blisters appear all over the body. In the blisters, itching occurs. It’s very rare to have the chickenpox infection more than once. This virus is contagious and can spread through coughing, sneezing and in contact with an infected person.

The most common symptom of chickenpox is the appearance of itchy rashes on the body that will appear after seven to 21 days after the infection occurs. The other symptoms that appear are fever, headache, and loss of appetite. The rashes undergo three stages until the recovery. Firstly, red or pink bumps occur all over your body, then bumps become blisters filled with fluid that leaks and at last the bumps become crusty, scab over, and fall off. Blisters take seven to fourteen days to heal.

The risk of infection reduces if a person is immunized and had a previous active infection. Exposure of infection increases when the immune system is weak due to illness or medications, children under the age of 12 year, contact with an infected person.

Chickenpox infected person is advised to stay at home and have rest. Keep children out of school and daycare to prevent spread of the virus. Antihistamine medications or topical ointments are prescribed to help relieve itching. These medicines can be buy over the counter also. Antiviral drugs are also prescribed to reduce virus activity.