Chickenpox (Varicella): Causes, Symptoms, Transmission, Treatment and Prevention
Chickenpox is an infectious, highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and manifests as a vesicular rash in successive waves, often accompanied by episodes of fever, headache, muscle pain, and/or nasal discharge.
It is also known as varicella and is typical of childhood, but it can also affect adults who have not had the disease or have not been immunized by a vaccine.
It is transmitted through coughing and sneezing and through direct contact with skin lesions. The risk of chickenpox transmission among school-age children, students, and students at other post-secondary educational institutions may be high due to the likelihood of contact between people in this environment.
Adults have a higher risk of severe complications compared to children. Chickenpox can even lead to a bacterial skin infection, affect the nervous system, or lead to varicella pneumonia if it is not properly treated.
Mode of transmission
The disease is transmitted through the respiratory tract, by aerosols, by coming into contact with a person who has chickenpox, or by touching the nasopharyngeal secretions of an infected person.
Children can spread the virus one day before showing signs of the disease and up to approximately five days after the appearance of the skin rash.
In most cases, having the disease provides permanent immunity. However, the disease can recur despite previous immunization, even after many years, in the form of a condition called shingles, marked by a vesicular skin rash.
Symptoms
Symptoms appear between 10 and 21 days after contact with an infected person. The recovery period is approximately 2 weeks.
Most, but not all, infected people experience episodes of fever (between 38 – 39.4 °C) that set in before or at the time of the appearance of the skin rash (itchy blisters on the body).
Common symptoms include malaise, fatigue, feeling unwell, low or absent appetite, headache, and sore throat.
In severe forms of chickenpox, we find: hyperthermia, headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, and profuse skin rashes of a hemorrhagic or gangrenous nature.
The rash may start on the face and chest and then spread over the entire body, including inside the mouth, on the eyelids, scalp, or in the genital areas. For a period of 5-7 days, red spots (macules) will constantly appear, which gradually turn into fluid-filled blisters and then into crusts.
Diagnosis
Correct diagnosis involves a physical examination by a doctor, after which fluid or a piece of tissue can be extracted from the blisters. Also, if the doctor has certain suspicions, they may request laboratory tests (blood tests or samples taken from lesions).
Treatment
Chickenpox treatment involves the administration of medications to fight fever and soothe itching. Throughout the duration of the illness, complete isolation of the infected person is mandatory for at least 6 days from the appearance of the rash to avoid community transmission.
Severe forms of the disease may require hospitalization of the patient or administration of treatment prescribed by a doctor.
A doctor's visit is recommended especially for people who have not had the disease before, pregnant women, people with a weakened immune system, patients infected with HIV/AIDS or suffering from cancer, people who have undergone a transplant, or those undergoing chemotherapy. Also, if severe symptoms do not improve, a physical examination by a doctor is necessary.
Treatment consists of a balanced diet, with the recommendation of consuming fluids (teas, water, soups, natural fruit juices) to ensure the patient's hydration; administration of anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, paracetamol, algocalmin) to lower fever; showers without using sponges, brushes, or other abrasive objects, to avoid rupturing the blisters. In case of infections, the doctor may recommend antibiotics. It is not recommended to take antibiotics without a doctor's prescription, as they can worsen the infection.
To alleviate itching, mentholated lotions, methylene blue, or cold compresses can be applied.
To reduce the risk of scarring the lesions, it is recommended to avoid scratching the itchy areas.
Prevention
The disease can be prevented through vaccination.
The National Center for Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases (CNSCBT) recommends two doses of chickenpox vaccine for children (starting at 9 months of age), adolescents, and adults who have never had the disease.
The administration of the second dose must be done at least 6 weeks after the first dose, but not less than 4 weeks.
References
https://www.cnscbt.ro/index.php/informatii-utile/817-informatii-utile-despre-varicela/file
https://crdm.md/images/ups/protocol/Varicela_la_copil.pdf
https://www.reginamaria.ro/articole-medicale/ce-trebuie-sa-stii-despre-varicela-una-dintre-cele-mai-frecvente-boli-ale
https://www.sensiblu.com/articole/varsat-de-vant-varicela
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4017-chickenpox
https://www.medlife.ro/glosar-medical/afectiuni-medicale/varicela-transmitere-tratament-cauze-simptome-vaccin
https://www.sfatulmedicului.ro/Varicela-si-zona-zoster/varicela_633
