Chicken Pox Symptoms And Causes | Styles At Life

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Chicken pox is a disease primarily caused by the Varicella Zoster virus (VZV).  It is a highly contagious and an airborne disease. It spreads easily through coughing, sneezing and direct contact. Its starts with what looks like a skin rash on your body which eventually develops to form raw and itchy pockmark. These pockmarks usually heal with any marks. Chicken pox is much more common in children than in full grown adults.

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Also, it is much more aggressive and serious when adults get chicken pox. What is noticeably good about the fact of having had chicken pox is that, you will not contract the disease again, as your body produces anti-bodies against the virus. This is what prevents the disease from returning. When people are infected with chicken pox, they are usually immune-compromised and they remain contagious as more lesions keep appearing. The most common way of being infected with this disease is not direct contact but through touching objects that have been used.

Chicken Pox Symptoms And Causes:

Here is a guide for you about what are the main causes and symptoms of chicken pox which will help you to know what is your state when you are diseased by that.

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Symptoms Of Chicken Pox:

The signs and symptoms of this disease are well known and it is easy to identify when you get infected with pox. Here are the symptoms.

1. Early Symptoms:

These symptoms occur before your body shows any signs or marks of having contracted the disease. They include aching muscles, headache, loss of appetite accompanied with nausea. Oral sores are also common at this stage.

This is then followed by a low grade fever and fatigue, which are usually the symptoms that one looks for to identify the manifestation of the disease. Although in children, the eruption of rashes precedes the aforementioned symptoms.

2. Exanthema (External) Symptoms:

The visible red rashes or spots then develop to form small blisters and these blisters erupt all over the body. There is intense sensation of burning and itching at this blister stage. Adults have a longer fever and much more eruptions in terms of numbers. The complication that usually arises with this stage is that of catching a cold. Since the immune is compromised in this period, there is a major chance of it developing into pneumonia if it is not taken care of immediately. The person suffering from chicken pox is very contagious and this high risk remains till the scabs are completely dry. The only complication that is associated with this disease is Shingles that develops in the later stage.

3. Complication Of Shingles:

When the virus remains dormant, post the disease, in the nerve cells, it is usually controlled by the immune system. But later in life, they can erupt in a reactivated different form called Shingles, which is also known as Herpes Zoster. Make sure once you turn 50, you receive a Zoster vaccination.

4.  Loss Of Appetite:

A child will loose serious amount of appetite if he is infected with the virus and gems that cause chicken pox. If you have an appetite issue, then you must figure it out that you might be suffering from chicken pox. This problem of chicken pox is common in both boys and girls and can result in serious weight loss as well.

5. Fatigue:

Another common symptom of chicken pox is the feeling of fatigue. A person will be facing some serious fatigue issues if he or she is dealing with such problems. Fatigue is one of the most common problems when it comes to chicken pox. Along with such fatigue, there are many other issues such as skin infections and diseases. People who are suffering from chicken pox deal with this symptoms quite often. Children are also often a victim of this cause and this can turn out to be extremely harmful for children, especially.

6. Neck Pain:

Stiff neck condition is yet another popular one among all the symptoms of chicken pox. An individual will be facing some serious neck issues during the phase of chicken pox and it will seem as if the person has faced some serious neck injuries. Chicken pox doesn’t only occur to children, it can be take place in adult as well. The germ (or virus) of this disease has always been there and will be and the only way to fight against it is to get some good amount of knowledge on this subject and adopt some measures that will keep you fit and healthy.

7. Vomiting:

Nausea and vomiting are some of the other symptoms of chicken pox which can deteriorate your physical condition. A person will be facing some serious stomach problems such as nausea and vomiting if he or she is affected with the virus of chicken pox. Generally, kids below the age of 12 are the prime victims of this symptom.

8. Headaches:

Headaches are another group of symptoms associated with chicken pox and they will last for quite some time as well.

9. Pneumonia:

Generally, this takes place in children who have been suffering from chicken pox for a long time. Pneumonia is another mostly seen symptoms of chicken pox and is accompanied by coughs and sever cold.

10. Rashes:

Last but not the least, one of the most common symptoms of chicken pox is severe skin problems such as rashes. Often shedding of skin takes places which means your condition is serious.

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Dos And Don’ts:

  • Don’t touch those drying blisters no matter how itchy it gets. Scratching causes severe skin infection and leaves permanent marks. Also the oozing puss, if in contact with anything or anyone else can cause infections to another person.
  • Your immune becomes very weak at this point. Make sure that you take a lot of rest and a good, healthy diet for a proper recovery.
  • Cut your nails. This is a precaution that you must take, so that you do not scratch your blisters unintentionally. Use a neem stick, if the itch becomes unbearable. Lightly brush the leaves over the area itching.
  • Bathe in warm water that has neem leaves in it. The natural antiseptic will prevent skin infections and will help heal faster.
  • Use a calamine lotion to prevent your skin from drying. Drying can increase the itching.
  • Your diet should comprise of food that keeps your body cool and loads of fruits and vegetables to rebuild your immunity. It is advisable to add supplements to your diet.
  • Keep an eye on your temperature. Pay your doctor a visit if it is higher than usual.

See More: How To Treat Pneumonia Home Remedies

Causes Of Chicken Pox:

Chicken pox is caused by a virus named Varicella Zoster Virus.  The highly communicable virus belongs to the family of the eight Herpes viruses. VZV remains dormant in the nerves of the affected person even after years. The virus is mainly common in tropical countries and affects mostly children over adults. With the advancement of science and technology, vaccinations are available to prevent the occurrence of this diseases and its changed form in the latter years of life.

1. Neonatal Varicella:

The risk of having chicken pox is the highest in the first six months of pregnancy. It is the mother who might have to suffer from the adverse effects of the disease. The disease is transferred from the mother to the fetus through the placenta. There is high risk of damage to the fetus is extremely high and can range from deformed limbs to brain damage, skin disorders and other neurological disorders. New born who show the related symptoms  are usually at the highest risk of developing pneumonia and various other associated complications.

2. Saliva:

Saliva can be said to be one of the most probable causes of chicken pox. Chicken pox is one of the most seen problems these days and it is mostly seen in young people. Both men and women can be a victim of this pox. According to many researches, it has been seen that there are more than one cases, where an individual has been affected from the different symptoms of chicken pox due to saliva. An infected person is thus recommended to keep safe distances from those who are still not affected from it.

3. Coughing:

Coughing can be a real and true cause of chicken pox. Generally, the germs are transmitted through coughing and this can be said to be one of the prime chicken pox causes. If a person is coughing then he should take special care of himself or he might transfer the germs of chicken pox to another person.

4. Sneezing:

Among all the chicken pox cause, this one can be said to be the most ignored ones. People are very ignorant these days and carefree to a maximum extent. A lot of people sneeze without using an handkerchief and due to this the germs spreads more easily and frequently. This is one of the prime reasons behind chicken pox. A person can become sick easily if he or she breathes the air containing the chicken pox germ.

5. Contact With Blisters:

Have you heard about this particular cause of chicken pox? It is one of them most possible reasons behind the occurrence of chicken pox. A person will face the symptoms of chicken pox if he or she doesn’t take proper measures when it comes to dealing with chicken pox. The cause is most relevant in case of young kids as they are affected by it more easily than grown ups.

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6. Children:

Chicken pox primarily takes place in children. If your child has a weak immune system, then he a high chance of getting affected by it as he will be dealing with some of the most harmful outcomes of chicken pox. Chicken pox shouldn’t be ignored as it can damage your health at a massive level and make you extremely weak and sick from the core. This is one of the most sighted causes of chicken pox. Chicken pox is most visible in children under 12years of age.

7. Contact With Infected Person:

If you have a contact with individual who has been infected with the symptoms of chicken pox, then there is a good chance that you can develop the symptoms more easily. That is reason why our mothers always tell us about maintaining a distance from that friend who has been infected with the chicken pox virus.

8. Bad Immune System:

Your kid will be easily affected with the chicken pox germ if he had a bad immune system and generally remains sick. This is one of the prime causes of chicken pox and most of children suffer due to this.

9. Childcare Facility:

It has been seen, that children who spend a considerable amount of time in childcare facility have a good chance of going down with the symptoms of chicken pox. The reasons behind this process is unknown to most people and generally takes place in children who age very less. This is one of the most probable causes of chicken pox and is common in both boys and girls.

10. Adult Residing With Children:

Generally adult people carry a lot of germs and bacteria in them. This can turn out to be the last but one of the most effective chicken pox causes. A child will be easily infected with the different germs causing chicken pox if that child is staying with an adult for a long time in a closed environment such as a room. For preventing such causes of chicken pox, the adult person will have to first adopt some measures to make himself totally germ-free.