CHICKEN POX

PREPARED BY: Ana Katrina J. Ocana

What is Chicken pox?

a highly contagious illness
it usually starts with vesicular skin rash mainly on the body and head rather than at the periphery and becomes itchy, raw pockmarks, which mostly heal without scarring.

Causative Agent

Varicella zoster virus

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)

is one of eight herpes viruses known to infect humans (and other vertebrates). It commonly causes chicken pox in children and Herpes zoster (Shingles) in adults and rarely in children.

Type of virus
Group: Group I (dsDNA) Double stranded DNA Virus Family :Herpesviridae

Target population
chickenpox is primarily a disease of children

It is one of the classic diseases of childhood, with the highest prevalence in the 410 year old age group.

Modes of Transmission
Chickenpox is an airborne disease spread easily through coughing or sneezing of ill individuals

Or through direct contact with secretions from the rash.

Portal of Entry

Newly infected mouth

Target System/Organ

mouth, GI tract, on the lungs, the brain, skin

Signs and Symptoms

In Adolescents and Adults: Myalgia nausea Fever headache sore throat

pain in both ears complaints of pressure in head swollen face malaise

Signs and Symptoms

In children:

Papular rash development of malaise Fever (a body temperature of 38 C (100 F), but may be as high as 42 C (108 F) in rare cases) Anorexia

Portals of Exit
Sneezing

Treatment
Chicken Pox Treatment Acetaminophen

 Patients with chicken pox typically have viral-type, prodomal symptoms such as headache, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. These symptoms can be treated with acetaminophen with doses determined by the weight of the patient. Children should never be given aspirin or medications containing aspirin for chicken pox or any other viral illness because of the risk of Reyes syndrome.

Chicken Pox Treatment - Soothing Baths

Frequent baths are sometimes helpful to relieve itching. Adding finely-ground (colloidal) oatmeal such as Aveeno can help improve itching. Oatmeal baths can be prepared at home also by grinding or blending dry oatmeal into a fine powder and adding about 2 cups to the bath water. One-half to one cup of baking soda may also be added to bath water to reduce itching.

Chicken Pox Treatment - Lotions

The most common lotion used for chicken pox is Calamine lotion. This or any similar over-the-counter preparation can be applied to the blisters to help dry them out and soothe the skin.

Chicken Pox Treatment - Antihistamines

Over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines may be used to control severe itching.Dipenhydramine (Benadryl) is available over-the-counter and Hydroxizne(Atarax) is available by prescription. Both of these antihistamines cause drowsiness and may be helpful at night to help the patient sleep. The newer antihistamines such as loratadine (claritin) certrizine (Zyrtrec) and fexofenadine (allegra) can be used to control itching but do not cause drowsiness.

Chicken Pox Treatment Acyclovir > Acyclovir (Zovirax) is an anti-viral drug that may be used to treat chicken pox. In uncomplicated cases acyclovir taken 5 times a day has been shown to cause shorter periods of new lesion formation, fewer lesions, and more rapid healing but only if started within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of the rash. Acyclovir has not been shown to decrease the rate of complications in otherwise healthy children who get chicken pox. > Oral acyclovir is more strongly recommended for children with underlying skin disease such as eczema, newborns, adults, and smokers since this group is at greater risk for complications. IV acyclovir is used for people with compromised immune systems.

Chicken Pox Treatment - Other Anti-Virals

Currently acyclovir (Zovirax) is the only FDA-approved treatment for chicken pox. However, the antiviral medications valacyclovir(Zovirax) and used to treat herpes simplex virus infections, have been shown to be effective for chicken pox and are often prescribed.