Chicken Pox

Dah beberapa hari anak2 aku kena chicken pox...yang si Amsyar dah mula kering, cuma Areena, belum banyak yang keluar.. Asalnya budak2 ni kena.. dari anak2 babysitter (jangkit dari sekolah)... ni maklumat sesiapa anak2 yang kena campak... maklumat dari babycentre.uk.

What is chickenpox?

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Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease caused by one of a group of viruses called the Herpes viruses. There are many different types of Herpes virus, but one feature which they all have is that they lie dormant in the body after the initial infection, and can reactivate much later. The disease caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus is known as shingles and it may occur when the immune system is run down.

(Herpes virus ni selalu berkait rapat dengan STD ( Sexual Transition Desease)

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How is it spread?

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The virus is transmitted from person to person by droplet spread, eg, sneezing, and by close contact with an infected person. Most children will contract chickenpox when they are young and it is usually a mild illness in children, though can be more serious in teenagers and adults. The incubation period, ie, the time taken from when the disease is first caught until the symptoms appear, is from 14 - 21 days. The child is infectious from about two days before the rash appears until all the spots have dried up which can take up to ten days.

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How ill will my child feel?

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Some children will have a high temperature whilst others may be simply a bit off colour. The rash starts as little red spots developing tiny blisters on the top within a few hours. They usually start on the face and trunk and spread to other parts of the body appearing in crops. There may be so many spots that they will appear to run into one another. They are particularly sore on the scalp, in the mouth and throat and around the vulval area.

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Is it dangerous for pregnant women?

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Infectious children should be kept away from pregnant women who have not had chicken pox before as it can cause problems for the unborn baby. Very young babies and children whose immune system is deficient are also at risk.

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Is there any treatment?

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There is no specific treatment for chickenpox although recent research using anti-viral drugs in the very early stages of the illness has shown slight benefit.

Paracetamol helps the associated fever and muscle aches and pains that go along with fever.

Calamine lotion or a solution of sodium bicarbonate help reduce itch in the spots.

Use ordinary baking soda and dissolve it in a small quantity of water. Some homeopaths suggest the homeopathic remedy sulphur to help boost the child's immune system.