Chickenpox is usually mild and can be treated even just at home. It doesn’t take too long for the condition to heal, a week or two, it will heal. In fact, chickenpox has no cure yet. However, you can prevent it by having a vaccination. Luckily, if you don’t get vaccinated yet, there are some treatments you can use to cure for chickenpox.
So what really is this chickenpox? What causes it? Let’s find out.
Chickenpox: What is this condition?
Varicella or chickenpox is an infection that’s self-limited. Most commonly, it affects children ages 5 to 10. The condition has a worldwide spreading and is reported all throughout the year especially in regions with moderate climate. Its peak incidence is common during the March up to May.
The condition is usually caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Good thing the immune system of creates antibodies, types of protein that helps fight the virus and gives the body a lifelong protection against it. This is why it is uncommon to have more than one occurrence of chickenpox in our lifetime.
Most people experience chickenpox in their childhood. Furthermore, approximately 9 out of 10 people have it by the age 15. This is probably some people say that this condition is uncommon for adults.
Chickenpox: What causes the condition?
The main reason for the illness is the varicella-zoster virus. It is a communicable disease and over 90% of individuals that have no vaccine may develop chickenpox if exposed to the virus. The spreading of the virus varies, it can be skin to skin contact and it can also spread thru sneezing or a cough from anyone who has it.
Chickenpox: What are the symptoms of the condition?
Usually, the symptoms of chickenpox are much more severe in adults than that of in children. The expectation is that they’ll feel discomfort for several days.
Here are some of the usual symptoms of having chickenpox:
-Loss of appetite
-Feeling sick
-Wooziness
-High fever
-Headache
-The appearance of rashes. There are spots that appear in a crop. Eventually, these spots develop into tiny blisters and sometimes causes itchiness. The spots appear in every part of the body. Furthermore, there are some instances that there are just a few spots that appear on the skin and in some cases, the spots almost appears all over the body.
The symptoms may last up to several days. However, the blisters slowly dry up and scabs. It slowly fades in a week or two. However, the overall healing takes about 2 to 3 weeks.
The cure for Chickenpox: What are the various treatments for it?
The cure for chickenpox that may help in easing all the symptoms despite the fact that the immune system is dealing with the virus. Here are some of the treatments for chickenpox you can use to treat your condition:
Emollients or soothing creams. You can use this in easing the itchiness of the rashes or spots.
Drink plenty of fluid. Drinking plenty of fluid especially water helps in hydrating the body. This will eventually help the body to fight the chickenpox-causing virus.
Antihistamine tablets. If you take this at bedtime, it will help in making you sleep soundly despite the itchiness that you might feel.
Take ibuprofen or paracetamol. These medications will help in treating and easing the fever, aches, headaches, pains, etc. However, take note that the ibuprofen is only for 12 years old and above.
Antiviral Medications
Antiviral medications can help in limiting the severity of the condition. These medications do not kill the virus, however, it helps in stopping the virus from multiplying. Antiviral medications are advised to be taken by those adults or teenagers with chickenpox. However, this only applies if it starts within 24 hours of the rash development.
This kind of medications is beneficial in circumstances where the condition becomes more serious. For instance, those who have a poor immune system like pregnant mothers, newborn babies, etc.
The cure for Chickenpox: Are there any complications?
-The complications of chickenpox usually occur more to adults rather than in children.
-The appearance of scars doesn’t usually occur, not unless you scratch it badly.
-With some cases, the spots become infected with bacteria. If this is the case, the skin that surrounds it becomes sore and red. The antibiotic medication is then a must to treat it.
-Pneumonia is a complication that affects 1 out of 10 adults who experience chickenpox. Furthermore, those who smoke are also prone to this.
Conclusion
Chickenpox is really a serious case or condition that must be treated as soon as the symptoms occur. This is to reduce the risk of it and treat all its complications. The cure for chickenpox are all effective and might be inexpensive so you should treat your illness not only for yourself. But for all the people around you do not get the same illness. Let’s spread awareness and chickenpox prevention. Let us not ignore the condition, instead, let’s fight it.
