Facts on Chickenpox

You can catch chickenpox at any age, although it is most common in children.

In this article:

What is chickenpox?

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

How Chemist Online can help

What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox is a red rash which can appear on most areas of the body (after infection). It is very uncommon for an adult or child to have chickenpox more than once.

Once infected by the chickenpox virus (and after an incubation period of about 3 weeks), a nasty rash develops.

Many children who catch chickenpox find the sudden onset of the rash frightening and upsetting. It is very important, therefore, to reassure your child that just about every child in the UK has chickenpox at some stage of their childhood, and that the rash will clear up completely after a week or so. However, the rash may leave scabs.

Symptoms
Symptoms of chickenpox include:

A rash in the form of crops of red spots all over the body – these can be extremely itchy and it can be difficult to stop a child from scratching themselves (particularly at night)

Headache, fever and sore throat

A general feeling of being unwell

Some back pain

Overall muscular and skeletal pain (this can range from mild to severe)

Irritability

Low mood

Anxiousness

Causes
Chickenpox is caused by a highly contagious virus called the varicella-zoster virus.

If someone with the virus coughs or sneezes in your presence, then there is a good chance that you will become infected. The virus can also be passed on through the sharing of clothes.

Diagnosis
The chickenpox virus can be diagnosed through a blood test.

Treatment
Although there is not actual cure for chickenpox, it is a good idea to drink plenty of fluids (to avoid dehydration) while you are coping with the condition and waiting for it to clear up.

Your immune system will need time to combat the infection, but during this time you can ease associated symptoms (such as headache, fever, muscle and skeletal pain, etc.) through taking over-the-counter painkillers (see How Chemist Online can help section below).

To ease the itchiness of the rash, it can be a good idea to try calamine lotion.

Your GP may prescribe antihistamine tablets (these can reduce the itchiness of the rash and help aid restful sleep).

How Chemist Online can help
Through this website we have a range of treatments available to buy which can help ease the symptoms (and associated symptoms) of chickenpox in adults, including paracetamol and ibuprofen. If you are purchasing for your child, please always opt for the mild painkillers. Seek advice from one of our pharmacists before purchasing: e-mail pharmacist@chemistonline.co.uk

Important note: Never give a child aspirin (if they are under 16 years of age) as this can be extremely dangerous to their health.



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This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.





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