Everyone Healthy Library
Chickenpox
Also Known As: Varicella
Condition / disease reference page from the Everyone Healthy database.
Connected health information
Explore this condition in a clear order
Linked signs and symptoms
6Each sign/symptom opens its own page and links back to related conditions.
Linked drugs / medications
1Medication information is educational only. A doctor or pharmacist should advise whether any medicine is appropriate.
Treatments, therapies and supportive options
5Grouped by treatment type. These are educational database links, not personal treatment recommendations. Evidence labels are shown only where stored in the EH database.
Lifestyle changes
1Behavioural changes
3Linked diagnostic tests and investigations
3These are pulled from both EH diagnostic-test link tables, including the older large test-link table.
Biological and test markers
3This visual map uses existing EH database links to show biological agents and lab markers reported as increased, decreased, or associated with this condition. These are educational relationships only; test results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician because ranges vary by lab, method, age, sex and clinical context.
Often increased
3- BasophilsReference range example0.02–0.05 million/mL; 0–1 %Linked diagnostic tests3Basophil Count, Basophil Differential Percent of Total WBC
- Varicella Virus Serology (Specific Antibodies Against Chicken Pox Virus)Reference range exampleAll: 0–1 NegativeLinked diagnostic tests1Varicella Zoster Virus Serology Test (VZV Serology, Chicken Pox)
- White Blood Cell (WBC)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 4.5–10.5 million/mL; Adult ( > 16y): 3.2–10 million/mLLinked diagnostic tests1White Blood Cell (WBC) Count
Often decreased
0No markers in this group.
Other associated markers
0No markers in this group.
Introduction / full article
Chickenpox
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a common disease that usually occurs at childhood manifesting as skin lesions accompanied by itchiness. [1]
Epidemiology
Most cases are recorded among pediatric patients. Higher incidence of the disease occurs in tropical and semitropical countries. Fortunately, mortality rates have declined over time due to vaccination. There is no known gender predilection. [2]
Causes
Chickenpox is brought about by a virus called varicella-zoster which is acquired thru respiratory droplets from an infected individual. [2] A person is contagious two to three days prior to the initial appearance of rash until all the skin lesions have crusted. [1]
Signs and Symptoms
The most obvious sign is a characteristic rash described as skin lesions with different morphologies which could be macules, vesicles, pustules that later on undergo crusting. Some people especially those who are adolescents and adults may experience symptoms such as nausea and headache before the rashes appear. Low fever and general feeling of being ill are common at the inception of the disease. [2] The rashes are often itchy and the patient may also complain of fatigue and loss of appetite. [3]
Diagnosis
Important to take note in history taking is a positive exposure to an infected individual. The characteristic rash often depicted as ‘dewdrop on a rose petal’ and that appears along the body in various stages of development is a basis for diagnosis. Some tests are available to work up the condition including Tzanck smear, culture, serological and histological tests. [2]
Treatment
Most patients need only rest. Antihistamines and antipyretics may be given for itching and fever respectively. Some patients need to see a doctor including pregnant, babies, teenagers and patients with other medical conditions. Special medications like immunoglobulin and antiviral may be prescribed. [1]
The disease often lasts 5 to 10 days. A person should not take aspirin as it can cause a complication known as Reye syndrome. [3]
Prevention
Chickenpox is preventable thru vaccines. In rare cases, breakthrough infection happens wherein a previously infected or vaccinated person gets the disease. It is always important to avoid exposure to a person affected with the disease. [1]
References:
1. http://www.webmd.com/vaccines/tc/chickenpox-varicella-topic-overview
2. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1131785-overview#a0156
3. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/chickenpox.html