WHAT IS CHICKENPOX?

Chickenpox is also known as varicella and is a highly contagious viral infection.

The chances of contracting Chickenpox are high for those who haven’t had the disease or been vaccinated against it.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR CHICKENPOX?

• If you haven’t already had chickenpox 
• If you haven’t had the chickenpox vaccine
• Newborns and infants whose mothers never had chickenpox or the vaccine
• Adolescents and adults
• Pregnant women who haven’t had chickenpox
• People who smoke
• Weak immune system
• People who take steroids more frequently

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF CHICKENPOX?

 Although chickenpox is a mild disease, if it remains untreated it leads to various major health issues such as

• Bacterial infection of the skin, soft tissues, and /or bones
• Dehydration -when intake of water becomes less during chickenpox it leads to dehydration.
• Pneumonia -if the infection reaches the lungs it caused bacterial pneumonia. This type of complication is mainly found in children
• Sepsis - Bacterial infection of the bloodstream is called sepsis. When the infection reaches the bloodstream it can spread the infection more.
• Encephalitis or inflammation of the brain 
• Pregnancy complication -  If the infection spread to the unborn baby it produces complications during pregnancy.
• Shingles/herpes zoster - occur in the late stage of life, in this case, the dormant varicella-zoster virus becomes activated due to various causes such as weak immune system, stress, anxiety, etc.
• Toxic shock syndrome -when the bacteria staphylococcus aureus gets into the bloodstream and bacteria produce toxins in the blood 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CHICKENPOX?

The incubation period -means it is the time period between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the symptoms. So the incubation period of chickenpox is 10 to 21 days 

The itchy blister rash caused or appears 10 to 21 days after exposure to the virus and usually lasts about 5 to 10 days. Other signs and symptoms, which may appear one to two days before the rash, include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell(malaise).
• Aching muscles
• Feeling of nausea

Once the chickenpox rash appears, it goes through three phases.

• Raises pink or red bumps (papules), which break out over several days.
• Small fluid-filled blisters(vesicles), form in about one day and then break and leak.
• Crusts and scabs, cover the broken blisters and take several more days to heal.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CHICKENPOX?

chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster. It spread from affected persons to healthy persons by various mediums, such as by hugs, kisses, using contaminated articles, coming in contact with infected persons, touching the blisters, or breathing in the air around someone who is infected.

How it is spread - chickenpox spread through various mediums

• By airborne respiratory droplets(coughs or sneezes) - when an infected person cough or sneezes without covering of mouth it shed various viruses in the air if these viruses come in contact with the healthy persons the viruses are transferred to healthy persons 
• By saliva -if the saliva from an infected person to a healthy person is transferred through hugs and kisses.
• By skin-to-skin contact, if the bacteria are directly shared from the skin of the affected person to a healthy person.
• By touching a contaminated article - if the used article by the affected person is used by a healthy person because the article used by affected person contain viruses it may transfer to the person.
• From mother to baby by pregnancy - if the pregnant woman gets infected with chickenpox, there is a high chance of transfer to the baby.

DIAGNOSIS OF CHICKENPOX

• Diagnosis of chickenpox is mainly done by physical examination of the rashes.
• Laboratory tests ( CBC, culture of lesion samples). A sample of blood is sent to the laboratory to know the active chickenpox infection in the body, and also to find antibodies.

TREATMENT OF CHICKENPOX

Conventional treatment of Chickenpox, typically chickenpox needs no medical treatment, but doctors may prescribe antihistamines to relieve itching, antibiotics for skin infections 

But all these medications have side effects, it is better to complete the course of chickenpox, but symptomatic relief can be done by homeopathy because it is safe and natural.

MANAGEMENT OF CHICKENPOX

• Drink lots of water because chickenpox causes dehydration so drink more water than u lose.
• Maintaining hygienic conditions is very important because unhygienic conditions can lead to the spread of infection to other parts 
• Eat a healthy diet and take a rest 
• Avoid itching as much as possible try to avoid scratching because it leads to scarring and also spread the infection to other parts.
• Use cool wet compresses or give a cool or lukewarm bath
• Apply calamine lotion
• Keep fingernails as clean and short as possible
• Prevent transmission as much as possible - use a mask or hand while coughing to prevent transmission of chickenpox
• Try to avoid going to crowded places during chickenpox.

HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF CHICKENPOX

Chickenpox is a viral disease so it is better to complete its course properly. Through homeopathy medicine, we can help in the healing process and also help to control the itching and irritation. Homeopathy also acts as a preventive method 

• Aconite
• Belladonna
• Rhus tox
• Antimonium crud
• Apis
• Kali mur
• Variolinum 

But take homeopathy medicine only after proper case taking by the registered medical practitioner.

DO'S AND DON'TS

Do’s

• Eat healthy diet
• Keep hydrated
• Always keep your nails clean and small 
• Use calamine lotion
• Always use a mask on your face 
• Wearing loose clothing

Don’ts

• Avoid scratching as much as possible 
• Avoid stress
• Avoid going to crowded places 
• Never suppressed it by taking unnecessary medicine 
• Avoid junk food