Chickenpox Treatment - Procedure, Cost And Side Effects

Chicken pox is a common disease that occurs in children around 12 years of age. The disease is contagious and is caused by the spread of the varicella-zoster virus. The symptoms that you experience with chickenpox include itchiness, burning, a rash or boils, fever and fatigue.

For most cases, if the patient is healthy there is no treatment required. The disease will run its course and be remedied naturally. This is common when chicken pox occurs in healthy children below 12 years. After chickenpox has run its course it is possible for this condition to reoccur later in life as shingles.

If chicken pox affects pregnant women, infants less than a year old, patients with lung or skin conditions or those above 12 years of age, then it can lead to certain health risks and complications. In these cases, the general physician will prescribe anti-viral medications. The condition may worsen and the patient might require hospitalization. The doctor might prescribe an antibiotic only if the patient has a bacterial infection along with chicken pox.

The chicken pox vaccine is the best way to prevent the development of the condition. In most cases people who are vaccinated, either do not contract chicken pox or get a mild version of the disease.

There are mainly three stages of Chickenpox that each patient undergoes:

1. Transmission stage:

   If an individual comes in direct ( touching, sharing food, sharing commodities) or indirectly ( inhaled in a contaminated environment) contact with the infected person, then they may get infected by the virus. Also things like sweat, liquid oozing from blisters, used clothes and bedspreads, contaminated baths or drinking water can increase the risk of transmission.

2. The rash:

   The second stage appears after 2 days of post-infection, where blisters spread all over the body. The blisters can be up to 250-500 in number. During rash, the patient becomes more contagious until the blisters become scabs. This will continue for the next 5-7 days. To avoid scarring, try not to scratch the blisters.

3. Shingles:

   In most cases, the rash eventually dries and heals within a week or so. But in the case of shingles, the Chickenpox becomes active again causing complications like postherpetic neuralgia, eye infections, neurological problems, and skin infections.

Note: A person suffering from shingles is as contagious as the person suffering from Chickenpox. Even though one cannot get shingles, if they come in contact with the infected person they may get Chickenpox as they both caused the same virus.

Yes, If an individual comes in direct ( touching, sharing food, sharing commodities) or indirectly ( inhaled in a contaminated environment) contact with the infected person, then they may get infected by the virus. Also things like sweat, liquid oozing from blisters, used clothes and bedspreads, contaminated baths or drinking water can increase the risk of transmission.

There is no particular procedure for the treatment of chicken pox but the process of treatment can include the following:

• First, the person affected with chicken pox must be quarantined so as not to spread the disease to others they come in contact with. Stay at home and do not leave the house until the disease has run its course.
• You should not scratch the rash because that may cause scarring.
• Wear clothes that are loose and light to ensure that the skin is as comfortable as possible.
• The doctor could prescribe certain ointments and calamine lotion to soothe the itchiness.
• Keep your nails clean and cut short in order to avoid bacterial infection.
• Do not take aspirin or pain relief medication which the doctor has not prescribed since this can aggravate the condition. Benadryl or other antihistamine tablets will help to treat some of the symptoms of chickenpox.

For those patients who have a severe version of chicken pox that can lead to health complications, the doctor will prescribe anti-viral medication. This can keep the symptoms in check and also prevent other complications. The physician will administer anti-viral medicines like famciclovir, valacyclovir, and Acyclovir. Acyclovir is one of the most efficient medicines that is used to treat chicken pox. It should be administered within the first day when the rash appears. For pregnant women and patients who have severe versions of chickenpox, the Acyclovir might be administered intravenously. But for other patients a capsule or tablet of Acyclovir is sufficient.

The people who are eligible for treatment of chickenpox with anti-viral drugs are as follows:

• People who are asthmatic and suffer from problems in the lungs.
• Patients with certain skin diseases like eczema or psoriasis are at a risk of further complications.
• People who need steroidal treatment for a previous health condition.
• People who develop chickenpox after the age of 12 years and especially as adults will require anti-viral treatment.

All parents must vaccinate their babies with the chicken pox vaccine. This prevents the development of the condition later. Mostly everyone is eligible for treatment of chickenpox by vaccination, with regular treatment or anti-viral drugs. People are rarely ineligible for the treatment of chicken pox. Pregnant women, those who have a gelatin allergy and people with weak immune systems are not eligible for the chicken pox vaccination.

The side effects from the chickenpox vaccination are minor. These include; soreness, redness and mild pain.

One side effect includes a bacterial infection caused by scratching the rash with unclean hands. In this case, the doctor prescribes antibiotic to treat it. Patients are also at a risk of developing joint pain and pneumonia.

Women who are pregnant and have chicken pox can pass on the disease to the baby. This baby can develop an infection and other health complications.

If the patient is older than 12 years or if the rash has been scratched aggressively, then they might develop scars.

Pain during Chickenpox can be caused due to inflammation and viral growth under the skin. This viral growth came out as blisters which can be painful, itchy, and discomforting. Here are some tips to follow in order to get relief from the pain:

• Do not scratch or rub your body with anything, it will cause more blisters on the skin.
• Use cold compress.
• Get baking soda or oatmeal bath.
• Use calamine lotion on blisters except for the ones on your face.
• Consult your doctor for over-the-counter creams and oral pills for pain and itching.

People who have been affected by the chickenpox virus should follow these guidelines:

• Stay indoors till the disease has run its course. It is an airborne disease that can also spread through contact with an infected person.
• The patient should consume healthy food like fruits, vegetables, grains and foods rich in protein. They should also drink plenty of fluids and water.
• You can apply the calamine lotion and other soothing creams to avoid scarring.

In general, healthy children take around one-two weeks to recover from chickenpox. The recovery from the vaccine can take a few days or even a week. Whereas the recovery from antiviral drugs like Acyclovir can take a few weeks.

The price of the antiviral drug called Acyclovir in India can range from Rs 100 to Rs 3500. The price of the chicken pox vaccine in India ranges from Rs 1500 to Rs 3000.

It is possible to develop shingles after having the chicken pox virus. Shingles are more commonly known as the herpes virus. But those who are vaccinated have low risk of developing this condition. Many people, however, do develop shingles even after receiving treatment with anti-viral drugs and vaccines.

The alternative antiviral drugs for chicken pox treatment are Valtrex, famciclovir, and valacyclovir. There are alternative herbal remedies and homeopathic medicines that have been used in the treatment of chickenpox.

Yes, one can consume milk during Chickenpox. It is one of the richest sources of calcium and other vitamins that are essential for a healthy immune system. For best results serve it cold.

To increase its nutrition content, one can add fruits or consume them in the form of curd.

Do's during Chickenpox:

• Have a complete uninterrupted REM sleep.
• Stay hydrated, add a lot of liquid to the diet.
• Take a bath infused with oatmeal or baking powder.
• Keep your clothes and sheets separated and clean.
• Monitor the rash, if it turns red, inflamed, painful, and hot talk to your doctor immediately.
• Use soft and breathable clothes.

Don'ts during Chickenpox:

• Avoid social gatherings and places where one may spread the disease to others.
• Don't scratch, it makes the itching worse.
• Avoid foods that are high in spice, oil and salt, and Citric acid.
• Avoid clothes that trigger your itching.