Chickenpox - or varicella - is a contagious, but not serious illness. Indeed, some natural health proponents suggest it is 'cleansing', giving the body a chance to detoxify. Those subscribing to this school of thought see an abundance of spots as a good sign.
Symptoms are a low-grade fever, a headache, sore throat, backache and a blistering rash. This usually appears between 11 and 20 days after infection, and pink spots appear first on the face and scalp, then trunk and limbs. The spots become watery blisters, burst and shrivel, forming scabs after five to 16 days. They are very itchy, and can cause havoc with sleep and mood.
There is a chickenpox vaccine, but it is not offered on a routine basis to children because, in most cases, the illness is merely uncomfortable. Once chickenpox has cleared, children are immune for life. However, the virus stays in the system and can be reactivated in later life causing shingles, a painful skin condition.
Spread
Chickenpox is spread by contact with someone with blisters or with articles infected with saliva, fluid from blisters or nasal discharge. It can cause birth defects if contracted in the first trimester of pregnancy.
It is far less dangerous for young children who contract it than adults, in whom the symptoms are more severe, and complications more likely.
The few potential complications in children include bacterial infection, ear infection (in about one of 20 children), ataxia (where children recovering from chickenpox become clumsy and unable to walk properly due to an inflammation of a part of the brain), and in very rare cases, swelling of the brain, causing confusion and fitting (encephalitis). In very rare cases, chickenpox pneumonia can result, but this is normally only present in adults.
Children with chickenpox should be kept home for five days after the rash appears to prevent spread. There have been no reports of people passing on chickenpox past this point.
Anyone who is infectious should avoid contact with people who have not had chickenpox, especially those at particular risk if they catch it, such as pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system.
Treatment
While the body fights the condition carers can ease the symptoms:
- Itchiness and skin irritation can be reduced by keeping the skin cool with light clothing and tepid baths.
- Calamine lotion may offer relief.
- Antihistamine tablets can reduce itching, or give a painkiller if needed.
- Natural treatments include swabbing scabs with Calendula tea and rubbing in vitamin E to ease symptoms; applying neat lavender oil to relieve itching and promote healing and sleep, and taking Rhus tox (30c) to encourage healing.
- Offer plenty of fresh water and raw fruit and vegetables.
- Bland foods will keep a child nourished without putting pressure on the digestive system.
- Clothing and bedding should be washed in boiling water to prevent spreading the disease
- Fingernails should be kept clipped, and washed with anti-bacterial soap to avoid infecting the spots.
Little can be done to curb an outbreak once an infected child enters the nursery, but good health and safety practice should always be adhered to. If a nursery child contracts chickenpox the nursery should notify parents that there is an outbreak.
RESOURCES AND REMEDIES
- Guidelines on the management of chickenpox in schools and nurseries can be found at www.hpa.org.uk.
- For information about chickenpox, visit: www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40024951/.
- Natural remedies can be ordered from www.yourhealthfoodstore.co.uk
- Explain the illness to children by reading Chicken Pox!: A Touch-and-Feel Pull-Tab Pop-up Book by Shen Roddie and Frances Cony (£10.99; Tango Books; ISBN: 1857076834) or Goldie Locks Has Chicken Pox by Erin Dealey and Hanako Wakiyama (£3.47 on Amazon; Aladdin Paperbacks; ISBN: 0689876106)
