Chicken Pox

By

talloo

Description

Chicken pox is a common disease caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV) which is a member of the herpes virus family.

It is very contagious and usually occurs during childhood (normally 5-9) , but you can get it at any time in your life.

It is most common at the end of winter and the beginning of Spring

Chicken Pox

Source: primary secretions of respiratory tract of infected persons; to a lesser degree, skin lesions.

Transmissions: direct contact, droplet (airborne) spread and contaminated objects.

Incubation period: 2-3 weeks, usually 14-16 days.

Chicken Pox

Period of communicability:Probably 1 day before eruption of

lesions (prodromal period) to 6 days after first crop of vesicles when crusts have formed.

Note: communicability period

the time during which an infectious agent may be transferred directly or indirectly from an infected person to another person, from an infected animal to humans, or from an infected person to animals, including arthropods المفصليات.

Symptoms

Prodromal stage:Chicken pox often begins with a slight

fever, malaise and loss of appetite. Within 1or 2 days, the rash appears,

normally starting on the chest or back and highly pruritic.

At first the rash begins areas of red spots which then form blisters and spreads to the rest of the body (papule, vesicle, crust)

Symptoms continued

The blisters open and form a outside within a few days.

The rash can continue to break out for 4-5 days as older lesions crust and heal.

Itching can accompany the rash along with fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat and general body aches.

Cures and treatments

CuresThere are no actual cures for it ,but you can get a

vaccine shot to help prevent it.Treatments

Baths with uncooked oatmeal, cornstarch can help relieve itching.

Tylenol is used for fever or pain relief. (Aspirin should be avoided.)

Antiviral drugs such as Acyclovir may be prescribed. You can put Calamine lotion on the pocks to help stop

the itching.

Nursing considerations

Maintain strict isolation in hospital.

Isolate child in home until vesicles

have dried (usually 1 week after onset

of disease) and isolate high –risk

children from infected children.

Nursing considerations

Administer skin care: give bath and change clothes and linens daily;

Apply mittens if child scratches.Keep child cool (may decrease number

of lesions). Lessen pruritus; keep child occupied. Remove loose crusts that rub and

irritate skin

Nursing considerations

Teach child to apply pressure to pruritic area rather than scratching it.

If older child, reason with child regarding danger of scar formation from scratching.

Avoid use of aspirin.