Chickenpox, also called varicella, is characterized by itchy red blisters that appear all over the body. It often affects children, and was so common it was considered a childhood rite of passage. The chickenpox virus is known as varicella zoster virus (VZV).
Transformations
Chickenpox is highly contagious and transmits easily from person to person. Breathing in the respiratory particles of a person with chickenpox can expose others to it. Chickenpox can also spread through contact with the fluid in the rash blisters with a person who actively has it, such as by:
- being in the room with them for at least 15 minutes,
- touching their blisters,
- touching items that have been recently in contact with their breath or fluid from their blisters or shingles etc.
The infection will have to be in the body for around seven to 21 days before the rash and other symptoms develop. Patients start to be contagious to those around him up to 48 hours before the skin rash starts to occur and may continue to spread to others until the blisters fully crust over. An itchy rash is the most common symptom of chickenpox.
Non-Rash Symptoms
The non-rash symptoms may last a few days and include:
One or two days after one experience these symptoms, the classic rash will begin to develop. The rash goes through three phases before patient recover, these include:
- Patients develop red or pink bumps all over her/his body,
- The bumps become blisters filled with fluid that leaks,
- The bumps become crusty, scab over, and begin to heal.
The bumps on the body will not all be in the same phase at the same time. New bumps will continuously appear throughout the infection. The rash may be very itchy, especially before it scabs over with a crust.
Any patient is still contagious until all the blisters on his body have scabbed over. The crusty scabbed areas eventually fall off. It takes seven to 14 days to disappear completely.
Chickenpox symptoms in adults
Chickenpox symptoms in adults typically resemble those in children, but they can become more severe. The disease progresses through symptoms that start one to three weeks after exposure to the virus, including:
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, body aches, and headache. These symptoms typically start a day or two before a rash appears.
- Red spots appear on the face and chest, eventually spreading over the entire body. The red spots develop into itchy, fluid-filled blisters.
- Blisters weep, become sores, form crusts, and heal. As some of the blisters form crusts, it’s not unusual for more red spots to appear, for a total of 250 to 500 blisters.
Getting Chickenpox again
One may be susceptible to getting the chickenpox virus twice if:
- She/he had first case of chickenpox when he/she was less than 6 months old,
- Person’s first case of chickenpox was extremely mild,
- Patient has a weakened immune system.
Other times, a person who appears to be developing chickenpox for the second time is actually having their first case of chickenpox. Because some rashes can mimic chickenpox, it may be that that person never had chickenpox before but instead had another condition.
Could it be shingles?
One may not get chickenpox twice, but varicella zoster virus (VZV) could make him sick twice. Once a person has had chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in his nerve tissue, the virus may then reactivate later in life and cause shingles.
Shingles is a painful rash of blisters. The rash develops on one side of the face or body and typically lasts about three weeks. The blisters usually scab over in a week or two.
Shingles typically occurs in older adults when the immune system naturally weakens with age. But it can also occur in younger people with weakened immune systems.
What causes chickenpox?
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes the chickenpox infection. Most cases occur through contact with an infected person. The virus is contagious to those around patient for one to two days before patient’s blisters appear. VZV remains contagious until all blisters have crusted over. The virus can spread through:
- saliva,
- coughing,
- sneezing,
- contact with fluid from the blisters or shingles.
Who is at risk?
Exposure to the virus through previous active infection or vaccination reduces risk. Immunity from the virus can be passed on from a mother to her newborn and lasts about three months (from birth). Anyone who has not been exposed may contract the virus. Risk increases under any of these conditions:
- Recent contact with an infected person,
- Under 12 years of age,
- An adult living with children,
- One who have spent time in a school or childcare facility,
- Compromised immune system due to illness or allopathic medications,
- A person who is on medication that suppresses your immune system, such as chemotherapy,
- A person whose immune system is impaired by another disease, such as HIV,
- A person who is on steroid medications for another condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis,
- A person with an immune system weakened by a previous organ or bone marrow transplant,
- A pregnant woman who hasn’t had chickenpox.
Diagnosis
Physical examination; developed an unexplained rash, especially if it’s accompanied by cold symptoms or fever. One of several viruses or infections could be affecting, ask your patient about her pregnancy and if she/he has been exposed to chickenpox.
On a physical exam, blisters on patient or child’s body. Lab tests (antibodies to VZV in CSF, blood, throat, blister) can confirm the cause of the blisters.
Possible complications of chickenpox
Contact the doctor immediately if:
- The rash spreads to the eyes,
- Secondary infection (the rash is very red, tender, and warm),
- The rash is accompanied by dizziness or shortness of breath.
When complications occur, they most often affect both genders and at any stage specially kids, old age and pregnant women. These people may also contract Varicella zoster virus (VZV), pneumonia or other infections of the skin, joints, or bones.
Chickenpox is normally a mild, but uncomfortable, disease. However, this condition can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, and even death. Some complications include:
- bacterial infections of the skin, soft tissues, and/or bones,
- sepsis, or a bacterial infection of the bloodstream
- bleeding problems
- dehydration
- encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain
- pneumonia
- Reye’s syndrome, particularly if a child takes aspirin while infected with chickenpox
- toxic shock syndrome
Women exposed during pregnancy may bear children with birth defects, for example:
- poor growth,
- small head size,
- eye problems,
- intellectual disabilities etc.
Allopathic treatment for chickenpox
First of all, never advise to children under 18 aspirin when they have a viral infection like chickenpox. The combination of viral infections and aspirin has been associated with Reye’s syndrome, a rare yet potentially deadly condition.
There’s no cure for chickenpox in allopathy. With allopathic treatment, the varicella-zoster virus will live on in nerve tissue for rest of patient’s life.
According to the allopathic doctors, about 1 in 3 patients will develop another rash driven by the same chickenpox virus, called shingles. Shingles is a painful and itchy rash that typically lasts about a month.
Most people diagnosed with chickenpox will be advised to manage their symptoms while they wait for the virus to pass through their system. Parents will be told to keep children out of school and day care to prevent spread of the virus. Infected adults will also need to stay home. 
You may prescribe antihistamine medications or topical ointments, or over the counter drugs to help relieve itching. To soothe itching skin, you can also advise:
- taking lukewarm baths,
- applying unscented lotion,
- wearing lightweight, soft clothing.
Prescribe antiviral drugs if you think that the complications from the virus. Patients at high risk are usually the young, older adults, or those who have underlying medical issues. These antiviral drugs do not cure chickenpox. They make the symptoms less severe by slowing down viral activity.
Allopathic treatment suggestions might include:
Non aspirin pain medication like acetaminophen can relieve fever.
Over-the-counter topical lotions, such as calamine lotion, can relieve itching.
Advise antivirals like – acyclovir or valacyclovir.
If a doctor feels that patient is likely to develop a more serious case, you may recommend an allopathic antiviral medication such as acyclovir.
Allopathic treatment for chickenpox inside the mouth
The general treatment for chickenpox is letting the disease run its course. You can relieve symptoms by advising the following:
- Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can ease itchiness,
- Non aspirin pain relievers such as acetaminophen can relieve fever,
- Over-the-counter topical lotions or creams can soothe itching,
- Calamine lotion and colloidal oatmeal baths to relieve itching
- A prescription antibiotic ointment can help treat infected blisters (but I – Dr. Qaisar Ahmed will not advise to recommend antibiotic),
- In certain circumstances, doctor may prescribe drugs such as acyclovir or valacyclovir to combat the virus and prevent complications.
Home treatment if it spreads to the mouth
According to allopathic doctors, if chickenpox blisters spread to the mouth and tongue, it will add to discomfort. But it isn’t usually considered serious.
In that cases recommend one or a combination of these regimens for treatment:
Bland diet. Avoiding hot beverages and spicy, salty, and acidic foods can limit the irritation and discomfort in mouth.
Local anesthetics. Recommended local anesthetic on the interior surface of the mouth and on the tongue can block the pain caused by oral sores.
Cold food. Consuming cold drinks and foods can help numb any discomfort.
Hydration. Drinking plenty of fluids — especially water — fights off dehydration. Dehydration can worsen patient’s symptoms.
Oral hygiene. Keeping the mouth and tongue clean with a mild toothpaste or miswak and flossing regularly will help prevent a secondary bacterial infection. Gargling with saline or alum water will also help by washing away viruses and debris.
Risks and side effects of chickenpox allopathic vaccine
Risk and side effects of allopathic vaccine are:
some people may develop a low-grade fever or mild rash after being injected with the chickenpox vaccine, the most common side effects are redness, swelling, or soreness at the vaccination site. Other very rare severe side effects include: 
- anaphylaxis,
- ataxia, or loss of balance,
- cellulitis,
- encephalitis,
- nonfebrile seizures, or seizures without fever,
- pneumonia etc.
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