Health Line: 2005-2017

Subject: Community Health Nursing II

Overview

The extremely contagious illness varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, is caused by an initial infection with the varicella zoster virus (VZV). The infection results in a recognisable skin rash that grows into tiny, uncomfortable blisters before crusting over. The face, back, and chest are typically the first areas to receive treatment before going on to the rest of the body. Other symptoms include a fever, headaches, and headache discomfort, for instance. Symptoms often last five to ten days. Usually, based on the symptoms that are present, the illness can be determined. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of the blister fluid or scabs may, however, be employed in extremely uncommon situations to confirm the diagnosis.

Chickenpox

Varicella, also referred to as chickenpox, is a highly contagious condition that develops after a primary infection with the varicella zoster virus (VZV). The disease results in a recognisable skin rash that grows into little, uncomfortable blisters before eventually scabbing over. The face, back, and chest are typically the first areas to receive treatment before going on to the rest of the body. Other symptoms include a fever, headaches, and headache discomfort, for instance. Symptoms often last five to ten days. The consequences that can occasionally arise include pneumonia, an airborne brain inflammation, or bacterial skin infections. The illness is typically more severe in adults than in children. Symptoms start to manifest ten to twenty-one days after virus exposure. From one to two days before the rash manifests until all lesions have crusted over, it can spread. Additionally, coming into contact with the blisters can transmit it. A person who has chicano sickness can transfer the disease to others through their coughs and sneezes. Those who have shingles run the risk of spreading chickenpox to others through contact with their blisters. The main symptom is frequently used to diagnose the illness. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of the blister fluid or scabs may, however, be employed in extremely uncommon situations to confirm the diagnosis. To find out if a person is immune, antibodies may be tested on them. The sickness often only affects a person once.

PHC Issue

Treatment's primary objective is to lessen symptoms. In order to prevent the sickness from spreading to others, people are usually forced to isolate themselves to their houses when ill. The risk of further infections can be reduced by wearing gloves or cutting the nails short. Despite not having been the subject of official clinical studies, topical application of calamine lotion, a topical barrier preparation containing zinc oxide and one of the most popular treatments, has a very strong safety record. It's essential to maintain good hygiene and wash your skin with warm water each day in order to avoid contracting a secondary bacterial infection. Scratching may also increase the chance of a later infection. Paracetamol can be used to reduce fever, unlike aspirin. Aspirin use during chickenpox can result in Reye syndrome, a potentially catastrophic liver and brain condition. People at risk of major issues who have had substantial contact to the virus may be given intramuscular varicella-zoster immune globulin (VZIG), a medication having high titers of antibodies to varicella zoster virus, to avoid the sickness. Antivirals are used on occasion.

REFERENCE

Ambika Rai, Kabita Dahal. Community Health Nursing II. Kathmandu: Makalu Publication House, 2012 (reprint).

Dr.Suwal S.N. & Tuitui R. (2063) A Textbook of Community Health Nursing, 1st edition, Vidyarthi Prakashan (P). Ltd. Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu

HealthLine. 2005. 2017 http://www.healthline.com/health/chickenpox?s_con_rec=true&r=1

KidsHealth. 1995. 2017 http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/chicken-pox.html

NHS Choice. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Chickenpox/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Tuitui, Roshani. Community Health Nursing. Kathmandu: Vidyarthi Prakashan (P.)

Web MD. 2005. 2017 http://www.webmd.boots.com/children/guide/chickenpox-symptoms

Things to remember

Varicella, also known as chickenpox, is a highly contagious condition that develops after contracting the varicella zoster virus (VZV).
The condition is characterized by a characteristic skin rash that progresses into tiny, uncomfortable blisters that eventually scab over.
Usually, before the rest of the body is afflicted, the face, back, and chest are the first.
Additional symptoms include headaches, fatigue, and fever. A typical symptom lasts five to ten days.
Pneumonia, brain inflammation, and bacterial skin infections are a few of its side effects.
Is there a disease that can spread quickly through an infected person's airborne coughs and sneezes?
Before the rash appears, it may spread for one to two days until all lesions have crusted over. Through touch with the blisters, it could possibly spread.

Questions and Answers

Write about chickenpox and its PHC issues?

Varicella, usually known as chickenpox, is an infectious illness brought on by an initial infection with the varicella zoster virus (VZV). The illness causes a distinctive skin rash that develops into tiny, painful blisters that finally scab over. Typically, it begins on the face, back, and chest before moving on to the rest of the body. Fever, fatigue, and headaches are examples of further symptoms. Typically, symptoms persist five to 10 days. Pneumonia, brain inflammation, skin bacterial infections, and other complications are possible occurrences. In adults, the condition is frequently more severe than in kids. Ten to twenty-one days following viral exposure, symptoms appear.

A person who has chickenpox can readily spread the disease to others by sneezing and coughing. From one to two days before the rash manifests until all lesions have crusted over, it may spread. Through touch with the blisters, it could possibly spread. Through touch with the blisters, people with shingles may transmit chickenpox to individuals who are not immune. Usually, the condition can be identified based on the symptoms that are present. However, in exceptional circumstances, PCR testing of the blister fluid or scabs may be used to confirm the diagnosis. To ascertain whether a person is immune or not, testing for antibodies may be performed. The disease typically only affects a person once.

PHC Issue

The main goal of treatment is to reduce the symptoms. People are typically compelled to confine themselves to their homes while contagious in order to prevent the disease from infecting others. Gloves or short nails can avoid scratching and reduce the risk of subsequent infections.

Topical application of calamine lotion, a topical barrier preparation containing zinc oxide and one of the most often used therapies, has an outstanding safety profile even though there haven't been any rigorous clinical studies examining its efficacy. To prevent secondary bacterial infection, it's critical to practice proper hygiene and wash your skin every day with warm water. The risk of subsequent infection may also rise as a result of scratching.

To lower fever, paracetamol may be used rather than aspirin. When someone with chickenpox takes aspirin, Reyes syndrome, a dangerous and occasionally fatal liver and brain illness, can develop. Intramuscular varicella-zoster immune globulin (VZIG), a preparation containing high titres of antibodies to varicella zoster virus, may be administered to people at risk of developing severe complications who have had significant exposure to the virus to prevent the illness. Sometimes, antivirals are employed.