Chicken Pox

By Sarah Elizabeth Warmoth

Description
Chicken pox is a common disease caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV) which is a member of the herpes virus family. It is very contagious and usually occurs during childhood (normally 5-9) , but you can get it at any time in your life. It is most common at the end of winter and the beginning of Spring

Background
Infects about 70% of all children by 18. The rash and fever last for about five days. Approximately 4,000,000 people in the U.S.A. get the chicken pox each year. Most children handle the chicken pox well and recover without any problem within a week.

Background continued
Infants less than 6 months old are usually protected from it as long as their mother carries the antibody to this virus. A healthy child less then 13 years old generally has a very mild illness that insures lifelong immunity to the chicken pox. It is unusual to have chicken pox more than once.

Symptoms
Chicken pox often begins with a small fever, body aches and loss of appetite. Within 1or 2 days, the rash appears, normally starting on the chest or back. At first the rash begins as red spots which then form blisters and spreads to the rest of the body.

Symptoms continued
The blisters open and form a scab within a few days. The rash can continue to break out for 4-5 days as older lesions crust and heal. Itching can accompany the rash along with fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat and general body aches.

Cures and treatments

Cures There are no actual cures for it ,but you can get a vaccine shot to help prevent it. Treatments Baths with uncooked oatmeal, baking soda, or cornstarch can help relieve itching. Tylenol is used for fever or pain relief. (Aspirin should be avoided.) Antiviral drugs such as Acyclovir may be prescribed. You can put Calamine lotion on the pocks to help stop the itching.

How the chickenpox affects you

It makes you have a cold and a runny nose a couple days before the first pock appears. It makes you feel tired and itchy. You should stay at home for at least 5 days after the first pock appears. You are contagious from 1-2 days before the first pock appears until all the pocks are crusted over.

The cost
Having a mild case of the chickenpox would normally not require any significant expenses. If needed, one could purchase anti-itch lotions or Tylenol to relieve itching or a fever.

Interview with Ann Warmoth

Sarah: What experiences have you had with the chickenpox? Ann: My daughter got the chickenpox two weeks before Christmas. My oldest son got the chickenpox three weeks after my daughter. My youngest son got the vaccine to prevent them. S: Is it true that if you get the virus from a family member, it is worse than getting it from a classmate? A: Not that I know of. S: Were your son and daughter able to play with their friends when they had the chickenpox? A: No! Not for a couple of weeks to prevent spreading the illness. S: Did you go out to get groceries wile the kids were sick? A: Yes. My mom came over to babysit, she had already had the chickenpox so it was ok. S: How did you know that your kids had the chickenpox? A: I noticed a bump on my daughters tummy and called the doctor and described it to her. S: Thank you for your time! A: Your welcome! Good luck with your project!

Bibliography
Gordon, Sharon. Chickenpox. New York: Children's Press, 2002. Plum, Jennifer. Everything You Need to Know About Chicken Pox and Shingles. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group,Inc., 2001. Silverstein, Alvin. Chickenpox. New York: Grolier Publishing, 2001. Weitzman, Elizabeth. Lets Talk About Having Chicken Pox. New York: PowerKids Press,1997. Warmoth, Ann. Mother. November 14, 2004. http://www.indiana.edu/~health/chick.html http://images.google.com