Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). Very contagious and most often benign, this disease is mainly infantile. In France, 700,000 children are affected each year.
Chickenpox, what is it?
Chickenpox Symptoms
The symptoms of chickenpox are an eruption of red pimples on the skin for a few hours, which is accompanied by a stopped fever, general malaise and itching. In place of the red pimples then form small blisters, or vesicles, which are very itchy. The vesicles dry up in a few days and turn into scabs which fall off after a week. Usually the lesions start on the scalp, then appear on the trunk, mucous membranes (genital, oral), arms and legs, and finally reach the face. The number of pimples can vary from person to person: from a few blisters and up to two or three successive pimple outbreaks covering the entire body.
The causes of chickenpox
Chickenpox is an infection caused by a virus from the herpes family, VZV, which is highly contagious. The risk of catching chicken pox during his life thus reaches 95%. The disease occurs in epidemics, especially in spring.
Contamination by VZV is mainly through the air (by inhaling droplets emitted by the cough or saliva of a sick person), by direct contact with the vesicles or, more rarely, through objects or soiled surfaces. After recovery, we will never develop chickenpox again, but the virus will remain in the body, inside nerve ganglia.
In 15% to 20% of cases, VZV will reactivate later in life and manifest as shingles (a rash of blisters, usually on the chest).
Chickenpox is a predominantly childhood disease: 90% of the population has antibodies against chickenpox before the age of 10.
However, it can reach the non-immune adult. Severe forms mainly affect adults and immunocompromised people.
During pregnancy, VZV can reach the fetus and cause malformations during the 1st trimester or infect the baby at birth, causing potentially serious neonatal varicella. Fortunately, 98% of women are naturally immune.
Do I need antibiotics to treat chickenpox?
Since chicken pox is viral in origin, antibiotics are of no use. On the other hand, antiviral treatments may be necessary for certain fragile people and pregnant women, but also in the event of severe chickenpox.
What are the differences between a bacterium and a virus?
Chronicle produced in partnership with Public Health France.
How long will I suffer from chickenpox? When to go to the doctor?
Chickenpox is usually mild and heals on its own in 10 to 15 days. However, it is best to consult your doctor (or your pediatrician if it is a child) quickly. Indeed, there is a risk of complications (cutaneous, pulmonary or neurological) in infants, adults, and in particular in people:
already having a skin condition such as eczema;
with an immune deficiency (immunocompromised), for example following an HIV infection;
under anti-inflammatory (corticoids) or anti-cancer treatment.
Consult urgently if you have chickenpox, especially if you are pregnant.
After the consultation, promptly notify your doctor in case of high fever or the appearance of blood in the blisters (signs of severe chickenpox), pus in the blisters (risk of impetigo) or cough (risk of pneumonia). Contact the emergency room if you have a high fever associated with confusion or balance problems.
What can I do to relieve the symptoms of chickenpox?
Rest if you feel tired and stay well hydrated.
You can take paracetamol in case of fever (or give it to your child, taking care to respect the doses adapted to his weight). Never use ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as they can increase the risk of complications. Aspirin should never be given to a child who has (or is likely to have) chickenpox.
Perform a simple washing of the affected areas, 1 to 2 times a day and at the same time as the rest of the body, preferably with a mild or superfatted soap. Avoid the application of certain covering substances (for example, talc, ointments, etc.) which can promote secondary infections.
Although the lesions can be very itchy, avoid scratching, as this increases the risk of infection and scarring. If your child is sick, cut his nails short to avoid scratching injuries. A word of advice: put cotton gloves on your baby to limit this risk.
How do I protect those around me?
A person with chickenpox is contagious 2 to 4 days before the appearance of the first blisters and up to 1 week later, most often when the first blisters are dry.
To avoid the transmission of the disease to the most vulnerable, vaccination against chickenpox is recommended for women of childbearing age (to avoid contamination of the baby during pregnancy or at birth) as well as for people in contact with newborn babies. born, immunocompromised or candidates for a transplant. Ask your doctor for advice.
If your child has chickenpox, tell their nursery or school staff and, if possible, keep them at home until all lesions are scabbed over. Keep your child away from fragile people.
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varicella