Illnesses

Chicken pox

One of childhood's most common diseases, chicken pox, or varicella as doctors call it, is a highly contagious viral infection. It can spread through the air or by contact with chicken pox blisters. It is rarely dangerous to otherwise healthy children. It can occur at any age but is most common in children under 10 years old. Exposed people who have had chicken pox rarely catch it again.

Prevention
The chicken pox vaccine is recommended for children between the ages of 12 and 18 months and for children over 11 and adults who have not had chicken pox.

Symptoms

Fever
The first symptom is usually a mild fever, which appears two to three weeks after infection. The fever may be accompanied by a cough or runny nose. In some children, the fever may run as high as 104 degrees F.

Rash
The rash usually follows a day or two later. It often begins on the child's scalp and spreads to his or her face, through the torso, armpits, upper arms and legs. The rash first appears as small red spots that itch intensely. There may be anywhere from 20 to more than 1,000 spots on a child. The average ranges between 250-500. The spots develop into small bumps and then becomes fluid-filled blisters within a few hours. The blisters are about the size of a matchhead. Within six days, they break and crust over. As the last blisters scab over, the fever falls and your child will begin to feel better. Light or dark spots may remain after the scabs fall off; they almost always disappear after several months.

What you should do:

• Do not send your child to school or day care until all blisters have crusted over and the child is no longer contagious, which is normally six days after the spots appear.
• Keep your child in bed if he or she is feeling very ill.
• To relieve the itching, try bathing your child in lukewarm water containing oatmeal (Aveeno Colloidal) or baking soda. Calamine lotion applied to the blisters may also help. Antihistamines taken by mouth such as Benadryl may also be given.
• To relieve the fever, use acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol, Liquiprin). Never give aspirin to a child (with a viral illness like chicken pox) under 18 years. It can have serious health effects, including damage to the brain, liver and kidney.
• Cut your child's fingernails to reduce infection from scratching.
• Offer your child his or her normal diet, but don't be concerned if he or she doesn't eat much for a few days. Do encourage your child to drink more of his or her favorite juice or soft drink particularly if fever is present.
• It's okay to let your child carry on normal activities at home if they feel well enough, but make sure they don't have contact with anyone who has not had chicken pox. Be particularly careful to keep your child away from pregnant women who have not had chicken pox since exposure is dangerous to the healthy development of their baby.

When to call the doctor

• If your child has a fever of 104 degrees F. or higher for 24 hours or more
• If your child is taking steroid medications or is being treated for cancer or an immuno-deficiency disease such as AIDS or leukemia
• If warm baths with oatmeal or baking soda or Benadryl aren't relieving severe itching
• If he or she vomits persistently for more than four hours, and is unusually sleepy or has a severe headache
• If the rash persists for more than one week or if the rash gets red, painful or swells
• If your child experiences difficulty walking, severe cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain or severe stomachache

Reviewed: Robert LaCamera, MD, September 1999
Last revised: May 10, 2007 (dh)

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All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.