Chicken Pox - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

What is Chicken Pox?

• Common childhood disease
• Infection mild in children
• Serious in infants/ adults
• Chances of recurrence present
• World-wide incidence

Causes

• Caused by virus, Varicella-Zoster 
• Spreads through air & contact 
• Contagious till blisters disappear

Symptoms

• Rashes all over body
• Fever 
• Blisters 
• Uncontrollable itching
• Pneumonia 
• Brain damage in severe cases

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Treatment

• Take luke-warm baths
• Avoid aspirin
• Trim fingernails to avoid skin damage
• Drink cold fluids
• Acyclovir effectively treats chicken pox 
• Fever treated with Acetaminophen/ibuprofen 
• Consult a GP /child specialist if: 
1. Rashes involve eyes
2. Fever is 103 °F or more
3. Infection persists

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Prevention

• Infected person should remain home-bound
• Vaccination 
• First dose given between 12-18 months
• Vaccination should not be given to:
1. Those allergic to gelatin, neomycin
2. Pregnant women
3. The immuno-compromised