The chickenpox rash usually appear on the head, trunk, upper and lower extremities, and can also appear on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, respiratory tract, vagina, conjunctiva, and the cornea. The rash is pruritic and quickly progress from macular to papular and then to vesicular lesions for 1 to 5 days. The vesicles are filled with clear fluid and are easily ruptured after which they dry and crust. The crusting stage may last up to 3 weeks.
Clinical Features
- Acute onset of mild fever (1 to 2 days prior to eruption of vesicles)
- Malaise (bodily weakness or discomfort)
- Headache
- Mild abdominal pain
- anorexia
- Irritability
- Rash (often first sign of disease in children)
- Pruritis (itching)
Treatment and prevention
The chicken pox vaccine (varivax) is the best way to prevent prevent being infected. The vaccine provides protection against the virus in 90% of all children who receive it. The vaccine is given at 12 to 18 months and then a second dose at 4 to 6 years. Persons not vaccinated by the age of 13 years receive 2 doses of the vaccine four to eight weeks apart. The varicella zoster immune globulin is given as soon as possible to newborns of infected mothers. Individuals who have had the chickenpox virus will not require a vaccination due to the the development of active immunity to the virus.
Chickenpox can be treated with the use of oral and topical medications. Itching may be treated with calamine lotion, oatmeal baths, promaxine gels, or antihistamines. Individuals who are not immunocompromised generally recover fully without complications