Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Chickenpox, Pediatric
Chickenpox, Pediatric
Chickenpox is an infection that is caused by a virus (viral infection). It causes a fever and then an itchy rash that turns into blisters, which eventually change into scabs. Chickenpox spreads easily from person to person (is contagious). It starts to be contagious 1–2 days before the rash appears. It remains contagious until the blisters become crusted.
Chickenpox tends to be mild for most healthy children. It can be more severe in newborns or children who have a weakened disease-fighting system (immune system). Usually, children get chickenpox only if they have not had the infection before and have not been given a chickenpox vaccine. Sometimes, a child who has received the vaccine (is immunized) still gets chickenpox. The symptoms are usually less severe in immunized children. If your child has chickenpox once, your child will probably not get it again.
What are the causes?
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Breathing in droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze.
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Having contact with fluids from the chickenpox rash.
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Touching something that has been exposed to the virus (has been contaminated) and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
What increases the risk?
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Infants.
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Children who have never had chickenpox.
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Children who have not been vaccinated against the virus.
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Children who have a weakened immune system. The immune system may be weak due to:
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HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
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AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
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Cancer.
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Chemotherapy.
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Medicines that reduce (suppress) the activity of the immune system.
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What are the signs or symptoms?
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An itchy rash that changes over time.
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The rash starts as red spots, which then become bumps.
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The bumps turn into fluid-filled blisters.
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The blisters crust and turn into scabs, usually about 3–7 days after the rash started.
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Body aches and pains.
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Headache.
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Tiredness.
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Fever.
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Poor appetite.
Symptoms usually develop 10–21 days after a child has been exposed to the virus.
How is this diagnosed?
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Your child’s symptoms.
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Your child’s medical history.
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A physical exam.
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Blood tests.
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Testing a fluid sample (culture) from the rash.
How is this treated?
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Taking medicine to shorten the illness and make it less severe.
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Applying calamine lotion to relieve itchiness.
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Using baking soda or dry oatmeal baths to soothe itchy skin.
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Using a medicine that reduces itching (antihistamine).
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Giving antibiotic medicines if your child also develops a bacterial infection. Antibiotics do not cure viral infections such as chickenpox.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
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Give or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider. These include antihistamines and anti-itch creams.
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Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye’s syndrome.
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If your child was prescribed an antibiotic medicine, give it as told by your child’s health care provider. Do not stop giving the antibiotic even if your child starts to feel better.
Relieving pain, itching, and discomfort
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Keep your child cool and out of the sun. Sweating and being hot can make itching worse.
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Cool baths can be soothing. Try adding baking soda or dry oatmeal to the water to reduce itching. Do not bathe your child in hot water.
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Put cold, wet cloths (cold compresses) on itchy areas, as told by your child’s health care provider.
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Use calamine lotion as recommended by your child’s health care provider. This is an over-the-counter lotion that helps to relieve itchiness.
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Do not give your child foods and beverages that are spicy, salty, or acidic if your child has blisters in his or her mouth. Soft, bland, and cold foods and beverages are easiest to swallow.
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Make sure your child does not scratch or pick at the rash. To help prevent scratching:
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Keep your child’s fingernails clean and cut short.
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Have your child wear soft gloves or mittens while he or she sleeps, if scratching is a problem.
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Preventing infection
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Your child starts to be contagious 1–2 days before the rash appears. Your child remains contagious until the blisters become crusted. While your child is contagious, keep him or her away from:
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Pregnant women.
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Infants.
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People receiving cancer treatments or long-term steroids.
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People with weakened immune systems.
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Older people.
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Anyone who has not had chickenpox before.
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Anyone who has not been vaccinated for chickenpox.
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Keep your child home from school or daycare until all the blisters have crusted and new spots stop appearing, or for as long as told by your child’s health care provider.
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If someone has been exposed to your child’s chickenpox, contact a health care provider to see if that person needs vaccination.
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Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Your child should also do this. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer. Have others in your child’s household also wash their hands often. Doing this:
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Lowers the chance that your child will get a bacterial skin infection.
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Lowers the chance that chickenpox will spread to others.
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General instructions
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Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her urine pale yellow.
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Have your child rest as needed.
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Keep all follow-up visits. This is important.
How is this prevented?
Having your child get vaccinated is the best way to prevent chickenpox. Children usually get the chickenpox vaccination when they are about 12–15 months old and again when they are 4–6 years old. If your child has not been vaccinated, talk with your child’s health care provider about your child getting the vaccine.
Where to find more information
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
Contact a health care provider if:
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Your child has a fever.
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There is yellowish-white fluid coming from your child’s blisters.
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Areas of your child’s skin become red or tender or feel warm to the touch.
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Your child develops a cough.
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Your child’s urine is a darker color than usual.
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Your child starts getting many bruises on the skin.
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Your child’s blisters bleed.
Get help right away if:
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Your child has a fever and his or her symptoms suddenly get worse.
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Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
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Your child cannot stop vomiting.
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Your child is confused or behaves oddly.
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Your child is unusually sleepy.
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Your child has any of these:
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A stiff neck.
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A severe headache.
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Severe joint pain or stiffness.
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A seizure.
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Fast breathing.
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Trouble with breathing.
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Chest pain.
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Eye pain, redness in the eyes, or difficulty seeing.
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Blood in his or her urine or stool (feces).
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Your child starts to lose his or her balance often.
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Your child develops blisters in his or her eye.
These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).
Summary
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Chickenpox is an infection that is caused by a virus (viral infection).
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It causes a fever and then an itchy rash that turns into blisters, which eventually change into scabs.
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Chickenpox spreads easily from person to person (is contagious). It starts to be contagious 1–2 days before the rash appears. It remains contagious until the blisters become crusted.
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Give or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider. These include antihistamines and anti-itch creams.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
