Chickenpox Disease Mainly Affects Children Below 12 Years: Pediatrician

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Chickenpox disease mainly affects children below 12 years: Pediatrician

Chickenpox is a common childhood skin disease caused by a virus. The virus is called the varicella-zoster virus and the disease is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Transmission occurs from person-to-person by direct contact or through the air.

HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Jul, 2018 ) : Chickenpox is a common childhood skin disease caused by a virus. The virus is called the varicella-zoster virus and the disease is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Transmission occurs from person-to-person by direct contact or through the air.

Eminent Child Specialist and Pediatrician of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro Professor Dr. Salma Shaikh expressed these views while talking to APP here on Monday.

She advised citizens to take special preventive measures to protect children from carrying Chickenpox .She said that chickenpox is very common and highly contagious and the more than 90 percent of Chickenpox cases occur in children less than 12 years of age.

She said that Chickenpox does not discriminate between race and gender and is so contagious that few non immunized people escape this common disease when they are exposed to a person carrying it.

She added that between 75 to 90 percent of cases occur in children under the age of 10 and that the disease usually spreads through sneezing, coughing, and breathing.

He said that it can also be transmitted through direct contact with open sores while clothing, bedding, and objects to which the patient is exposed are not usually hazardous.

Dr. Salma Shaikh said that Chickenpox appears as a very itchy rash that spreads from the torso to the neck, face and limbs.

Lasting seven to 10 days, the rash progresses from red bumps to fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) that drain and scab over, she added.

She said that vesicles may also appear in the mouth, on the scalp and around the eyes and can be very painful. This cycle repeats itself in new areas of the body until finally all of the sores have healed after about two weeks.

She said that the disease is contagious until all the spots have dried up and most cases of Chickenpox require little or no treatment beyond treating the symptoms.

Dr. Salma Shaikh said that the prescription antiviral drug is effective for shortening the duration of Chickenpox symptoms and may be recommended for certain people with Chickenpox, such as pregnant women, those with a compromised immune system, and adults who seek medical advice within 24 hours of the rash appearing.

Dr.Salma Shaikh also informed that chicken pox can cause serious problems during pregnancy, especially when infection occurs early in the pregnancy or at the time of delivery.

She said that if chickenpox occurs early in pregnancy, several types of fetal abnormalities, including limb abnormalities, scarring of internal organs and neurological damage can occur.

She further informed that pregnant women who suspect exposure to chickenpox should immediately contact their healthcare provider.

She added the doctor may recommend painkiller and an antihistamine to relieve pain, itching and swelling. Antibiotics are called for if a secondary bacterial skin infection arises or if the person with Chickenpox develops bacterial pneumonia, Dr. Salma Shaikh informed.

She further said that chickenpox is characterized by one to two days of mild fever up to 102 degrees F, general weakness, and a rash, often the first sign of the disease.

About the Chicken pox vaccination Professor Shaikh informed that the vaccination requires only two shots and the first vaccination is given at about 1 year of age, and the second is given at 4 years of age.

She said that if an older person has not had chickenpox, the shot may be given at any time. There have been few significant adverse reactions to the chickenpox vaccine. All children, except those with a compromised immune system, should have the vaccination, added.

She said about the different complications can occur from chickenpox include Secondary bacterial infections, pneumonia, defective muscular coordination and inflammation along the spinal cord etc, she added.

Dr.Salma Shaikh said that chickenpox can be prevented and the easiest way to prevent catching chicken pox is to get vaccinated. However, vaccination is only successful in 70 percent to 90percent of all vaccinations.

APP/fas/maq/1258 8534556667ydpabe65a4cmsonormal style='text-indent:.5in; line-height:18.0pt;background:white;orphans: auto;text-align:start;widows: 1; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;word-spacing:0px'>She said about the different complications can occur from chickenpox include Secondary bacterial infections, pneumonia, defective muscular coordination and inflammation along the spinal cord etc, she added.

Dr.Salma Shaikh said that chickenpox can be prevented and the easiest way to prevent catching chicken pox is to get vaccinated. However, vaccination is only successful in 70 percent to 90percentof all vaccinations.

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