Chickenpox

Chickenpox

It is an infection cause by varicella-zoster virus due to which fluid filled blisters form on skin. It is contagious and spread to people who have not got vaccine against it or not have in their life once.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms include:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Malaise
• Fluid filled blisters

Causes

It is causes by the virus varicella-zoster virus. It is spread by direct contact with infected person.

Complications

If left untreated it may lead to the following complications:

• Pneumonia
• Dehydration
• Sepsis
• Inflammation of the brain
• Toxic shock syndrome
• Reye’s syndrome

Diagnosis

Your doctor diagnosis this condition only by looking at the rash and blisters. If it mimics the other skin condition then he/she send the sample of blister fluid for culture.

Treatment

Viral infection does not require any treatment they resolve on its own. If you blister become severe then your doctor might be prescribed you a soothing lotion for redness and itching. Antiviral drugs like valacyclovir and famciclovir may help to reduce the infection. Avoid scratching the lesion, apply cold to the blister to reduce the pain.