Chickenpox

Subject: Community Health Nursing II

Overview

An itchy, blister-like rash is brought on by the viral infection known as chickenpox (varicella). People who have never had chickenpox or received the vaccine are highly contagious. The chickenpox vaccination is a secure, reliable method of avoiding chickenpox and any potential side effects. An infection with chickenpox typically lasts five to ten days. The following additional symptoms may manifest one to two days before the rash: decrease in appetite, A headache, fatigue, and a general sick feeling (malaise) Typically, a doctor will identify chickenpox based on the characteristic rash. There is no specific treatment offered. Apply cream to the lesion every 4-5 hours throughout the day, starting at the first symptom of the attack, for five to ten days. Tablets: 20 mg/kg dosage administered four times daily for five days. Its administration need to be limited to immunocompromised people who contract chicken pox. Sepsis, pneumonia, encephalitis, toxic shock syndrome, and bacterial infections of the skin, soft tissues, bones, joints, or bloodstream are among the complications.

Chickenpox

An itchy, blister-like rash is brought on by the viral infection known as chickenpox (varicella). People who have never had chickenpox or received the vaccine are highly contagious. Prior to systematic vaccination against chickenpox, almost everyone had contracted the illness by the time they reached adulthood, occasionally with life-threatening complications.

In most cases, chickenpox is a minor illness. Still, getting vaccinated is preferable. A secure, reliable method of avoiding chickenpox and its potential sequelae is vaccination.

Symptoms

An infection with chickenpox typically lasts five to ten days. The characteristic sign of chickenpox is the rash. One to two days prior to the rash, there may also be additional symptoms and indicators, such as:

  • Fever.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Headache.
  • Tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell (malaise).

The chickenpox Rash Progresses Through Three Stages Once it Appears.

  • Raised pink or red lumps that appear over a period of days.
  • Vesicles, or fluid-filled blisters, develop into the elevated lumps over the course of roughly a day before splitting and leaking.
  • Blisters that have broken form crusts and scabs, which take longer to cure.

Tests and Diagnosis

Typically, a doctor will identify chickenpox based on the characteristic rash.

If there is any uncertainty regarding the diagnosis, laboratory techniques, such as blood testing or a culture of lesion samples, can be used to prove chickenpox.

Treatment

There isn't a defined course of treatment. Acyclovir speeds up clinical and skin lesion improvements, resulting in fewer lesions overall.

  • Cream
    • Apply to lesion every 4-5 hours throughout the day, starting at the first sign of attack, for 5–10 days.
  • Tablets
    • 20 mg/kg given four times daily for five days. Its administration ought to be limited to immunocompromised people who contract chicken pox.

Nursing Management

  • For fever, antipyretic.
  • Systemic antihistamines, topical applications of calamine lotion, gentian violet, and sponge washes with antibacterial detergent can all help with itching relief.
  • Give the youngster penicillin if there are any signs of pneumonia or a secondary illness.
  • Give promethazine if necessary if the child's rashes are extremely irritating and keeping them from sleeping.
  • Teach a child to press down on itchy skin rather than scratching it.
  • Rinses, gargles, and saline soaks can all be used to treat the mouth and the perineum.
  • Cut your nails short.
  • Case isolation for approximately 6 days following the onset of the rash.
  • Eliminate the loose crust that irritates and rubs the skin.

Complications

Typically, chickenpox is a minor illness. However, it can be dangerous and cause difficulties, particularly in high-risk individuals. The difficulties include

  • Infections caused by bacteria in the skin, soft tissues, bones, joints, or blood (sepsis).
  • Pneumonia.
  • Inflamed brain tissue (encephalitis).
  • Syndrome of toxic shock.

REFERENCE

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

Acharya M & Shirley Croonquiet PCV, 2048 BS, Theory Lecture Outlines, Nursing Care of Children

Dr.Panta SD (Immunization Medical Officer, WHO/IDP) (2005), Training Handout of Immunization

Mandal, G.N. Textbook of Adult Nursing. Kathmandu: Makalu Publication House, 2013.

Textbook of Adult Nursing for PCL Nursing Student, reprint 2008, 1st edition HLMC

 

 

 
Things to remember
  • An itchy, blister-like rash is brought on by the viral infection known as chickenpox (varicella).
  • To those who have never had the sickness or received a vaccination against it, it is extremely contagious.
  • The chickenpox vaccination is a secure, reliable method of avoiding chickenpox and any potential side effects.
  • An infection with chickenpox typically lasts five to ten days. The unmistakable sign of chickenpox is a rash.
  • The other symptoms of chicken pox include fever, appetite loss, headache, fatigue, and a general feeling of being sick (malaise).
  • Doctors can usually identify chickenpox by its distinctive rash. Blood tests and lession culture are performed if there is any ambiguity regarding the diagnosis.
  • For chickenpox, there is no special treatment. The infection caused by chicken pox is treated with cream and pills.
  • Ones complications are
    • Infections caused by bacteria in the skin, soft tissues, bones, joints, or blood (sepsis)
    • Pneumonia
    • Inflamed brain tissue (encephalitis)
    • Hazardous shock syndrome
Questions and Answers

Chickenpox (varicella) is a viral infection that causes an itchy, blister-like rash.

Chickenpox infection typically lasts five to ten days. The rash is the most obvious sign of chickenpox. Other symptoms and signs that may appear one to two days before the rash include:

  • Fever
  •  Appetite loss
  •  Migraine
  • Tiredness and a general sense of being ill (malaise)

When the chickenpox rash appears, it progresses through three stages:

  • Raised pink or red bumps (papules) that appear over a period of days
  •  Fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) that form from raised bumps over a one-day period before breaking and leaking
  • Crusts and scabs that form over broken blisters and take several days to heal.

Nursing management for chickenpox are:

  1. Antipyretic for fever.
  2. Itching may be relieved by systemic antihistamines and or local application of calamine lotion, gentian violet and sponge baths with antiseptic detergent.
  3. If there are a secondary infection or sign of pneumonia give the child penicillin.
  4. If rashes are very itchy and the child can't sleep give promethazine if necessary.
  5. Teach child to applies pressure to a pruritic area rather than scratch it.
  6. Mouth and a perineal region may be treated by rinses ,gargles, and saline soak.
  7. Nails must be cut short.
  8. Isolation of cases for about 6days after an onset of rash.
  9. Remove loose crust that rubs and irritate skin.

 

Chickenpox is normally a mild disease. But it can be serious and can lead to complications, especially in high-risk people. Complications include:

  •  Bacterial infections of the skin, soft tissues, bones, joints or bloodstream (sepsis)
  • Pneumonia
  •  Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
  • Toxic shock syndrome

Doctors typically diagnose chickenpox based on the rash.

If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, laboratory tests, such as blood tests or a culture of lesion samples, can be used to confirm it.

There is no specific treatment available. Acyclovir hastens clinical and skin lesion improvement, reducing the number of lesions.

  • Cream: Apply to lesion every 4-5 hours for 5-10 days after the first sign of an attack.
  • Tablets: 20mg/kg, 4 times per day for 5 days. Its use should be limited to immunocompromised people who get chicken pox.

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