{"id":1922,"date":"2022-08-28T11:29:43","date_gmt":"2022-08-28T11:29:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/?p=1922"},"modified":"2022-09-08T11:35:32","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T11:35:32","slug":"what-is-and-what-causes-chickenpox-varicella","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/what-is-and-what-causes-chickenpox-varicella\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is and What Causes Chickenpox\/Varicella?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chickenpox, also referred to as varicella zoster or just varicella, is a virus infection that presents itself with a red rash that could lead to blisters and eventually scabs. Further complications can lead to shingles. It&#8217;s crucial that you take your child to a doctor as soon as you notice potential chickenpox symptoms, as it&#8217;s highly contagious and can be dangerous if ignored. You can always trust a professional <\/span><a href=\"\/worldwide-pediatrics\/pediatrician-plantation-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">pediatrician in Miami<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and get in touch with us at <\/span><a href=\"\/worldwide-pediatrics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Worldwide Pediatrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for all your child&#8217;s pediatric needs. In general, the best way to protect your child against varicella is with a vaccine.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Is Chickenpox?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The skin rash caused by chickenpox is the result of an infection. The varicella-zoster virus is the cause of the condition, which is why varicella-zoster is yet another name for chickenpox. Unless they have been vaccinated, most people will contract chickenpox as children.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The chickenpox virus is easily spread from one child to another. Since most children get vaccinated early, chickenpox has become a relatively rare disease. Before introducing the first varicella vaccine in the United States in 1995, the disease was pretty common but rarely ever resulted in complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is impossible to contract chickenpox a second time once you&#8217;ve had it. Chickenpox can strike at any time of life if you haven&#8217;t been vaccinated. It can cause severe illness in adults; therefore, getting it as a child or being vaccinated against it is preferable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chickenpox can affect children of any age. One to three weeks after exposure to the virus, your kid may seem completely healthy. The incubation period for the virus in children is one day before the onset of symptoms to around five days after the rash first shows. The infection spreads in the following ways:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Being in contact with the infected person<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Getting in contact with the infected person&#8217;s fluids from the nose, eyes, and mouth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Breathing the air around the infected person who coughs or sneezes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Most Common Chickenpox Symptoms<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1924 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Most-Common-Chickenpox-Symptoms.jpg\" alt=\"Woman Measuring Temperature of Her Little Girl Ill With Chickenpox at Home\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Most-Common-Chickenpox-Symptoms-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Most-Common-Chickenpox-Symptoms-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Most-Common-Chickenpox-Symptoms-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Most-Common-Chickenpox-Symptoms-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Most-Common-Chickenpox-Symptoms-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Most-Common-Chickenpox-Symptoms-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Most-Common-Chickenpox-Symptoms.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chickenpox symptoms are noticeable right away. The rash is easily identifiable on a child&#8217;s skin, which is why doctors can usually tell if their patient has it just by looking at them. The following is a typical progression of the symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fever<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stomachache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Itchy skin rash<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blister-like bumps filled with liquid<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scabs caused by blisters breaking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blotchy-looking skin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fading spots<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Seven to ten days after the rash begins, your child is healthy enough to return to school or daycare. However, you should wait for the blisters to break and have scabs over them before sending them out. As long as the blisters are filled with liquid, it&#8217;s possible to spread the disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What to Do When Your Child Has Chickenpox?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your child will feel better if you ensure they get lots of sleep and drink lots of fluids. In about a week or two, their chickenpox will clear up on its own. A few things you can do to help your child deal with the itch are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use a moist and cool rag on the skin with the rash.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Make sure that the child feels cool enough.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Trim your child&#8217;s nails and explain how important it is to resist scratching<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Special antihistamine lotions available at pharmacies could be applied directly to the rash.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some over-the-counter antihistamine meds are safe for children, such as Zyrtec and Benadryl.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Make sure to bathe\/shower your child every day in relatively cool water; dry them by patting the towel on the skin, not rubbing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An oatmeal bath might be helpful to relieve itching.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Do not give aspirin to a child. Children with fever should not use aspirin since it can cause serious side effects. Use Tylenol if your kid has a fever or is in pain. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you&#8217;re unsure about safe medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To ensure your child doesn&#8217;t suffer from dehydration, give them plenty of fluids. If they have mouth sores, they should have cold drinks and eat bland and soft foods.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It&#8217;s essential to notify a doctor immediately if your newborn (3 months old or younger) develops chickenpox. Babies are at a greater risk of chickenpox complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Potential Varicella Complications<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1925 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Potential-Varicella-Complications.jpg\" alt=\"Woman Applying Cream Onto Skin of Child Ill With Chickenpox\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Potential-Varicella-Complications-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Potential-Varicella-Complications-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Potential-Varicella-Complications-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Potential-Varicella-Complications-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Potential-Varicella-Complications-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Potential-Varicella-Complications-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/09\/Potential-Varicella-Complications.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In general, chickenpox complications are quite rare in this day and age. However, they are still possible and could be:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dehydration<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Healing problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blood clotting issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Liver problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Encephalitis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blood\/tissue\/skin bacterial infection<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chickenpox often causes no severe side effects in otherwise healthy people. However, very young infants, adolescents, pregnant women, and those with a weakened immune system may be at greater risk of a severe case of varicella infection. People with HIV, cancer or those receiving chemotherapy or steroids are also in this category.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chickenpox typically does not result in death. In most cases, recovery proceeds without any problems. Sadly, though, chickenpox has been responsible for some fatalities. After widespread immunization, the annual death toll in the United States plummeted from the 100s to the 20s. From over 10,000, there was an 84% drop in hospitalizations per year.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What About the Chickenpox Vaccine?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Two doses of the vaccine are recommended for children under 13 years old, the first between 12 and 15 months and the second between four and six years of age. Those 13 or older who have never had a vaccine should split the doses by at least 28 days.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Varivax is a vaccine developed specifically to prevent chickenpox. Another option is the measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella vaccine, known as ProQuad (MMRV).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The vaccination protection rate against chickenpox is above 90%.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unfortunately, the chickenpox vaccine isn&#8217;t appropriate for everyone. The vaccine is not recommended if you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Suffer from potential allergies to any ingredient of the vaccine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Are currently pregnant or believe you could be<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have immune system issues and\/or tuberculosis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Don&#8217;t feel good overall (you&#8217;ll need to wait to be well again)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You had a blood transfusion or some other <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Attenuated_vaccine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">live vaccines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> recently<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Make sure to discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination with your doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chickenpox rash typically first appears on the face, chest, and back and then quickly travels to other body parts from there. Chickenpox is classified into three distinct phases based on the appearance of the rash. In the first phase, a red, bumpy rash appears. A blistering, fluid-filled rash is the second phase. The third phase involves the formation of scabs after the blisters have burst. The infection typically passes after about two weeks, sometimes even sooner. If you notice any symptoms of this condition in your child, want to inquire about a preventative varicella vaccine, or simply wish to find a reputable and trustworthy pediatrician, don&#8217;t hesitate to reach out to us at Worldwide Pediatrics. You can count on expert pediatric care backed by years of experience and modern medical techniques.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chickenpox, also referred to as varicella zoster or just varicella, is a virus infection that presents itself with a red rash that could lead to blisters and eventually scabs. Further complications can lead to shingles. It&#8217;s crucial that you take your child to a doctor as soon as you notice potential chickenpox symptoms, as it&#8217;s<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1923,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[366],"tags":[367,369,368,370],"class_list":["post-1922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chickenpox","tag-chickenpox","tag-chickenpox-symptoms","tag-varicella","tag-varicella-zoster"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1922"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1922\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}