Medical Experts For Adopting Preventive Measures Against Chickenpox
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published June 05, 2017 | 10:25 PM
ISLAMABAD, June 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 05th Jun, 2017 ) : Medical experts on Monday advised the citizens to take special preventive measures to protect children from carrying Varicella virus (Chickenpox).
According to Medical Experts, Chickenpox is a viral illness characterized by a very itchy red rash, and is one of the most common infectious diseases of childhood. They said that it is usually mild in children but there is a risk of serious complications, such as bacterial pneumonia.
Dr Waseem Khawaja from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) said that Chickenpox favours no race or gender and is so contagious that few non-immunized people escape this common disease when they are exposed to someone else with chickenpox.
He added between 75 per cent and 90 per cent of cases occur in children under 10 years of age and the disease is usually spread through sneezing, coughing, and breathing. He said that it can also be transmitted from direct contact with the open sores while clothing, bedding, and objects to which the patient is exposed are not usually hazards.
Dr Khawaja said that a patient with chickenpox can transmit the disease from about two days before the appearance of the spots to the end of the blister stage, which lasts about five to seven days.
Once dry scabs form, the disease is unlikely to spread, he added. He said that people who have had chickenpox almost always develop lifetime immunity, however, the virus remains dormant in the body and it can reactivate later in life and cause shingles.
He said that Chickenpox appears as a very itchy rash that spreads from the torso to the neck, face and limbs.
Lasting seven to 10 days, the rash progresses from red bumps to fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) that drain and scab over, he added.
He said that vesicles may also appear in the mouth, on the scalp and around the eyes and can be very painful. He said that this cycle repeats itself in new areas of the body until finally, after about two weeks, all of the sores have healed.
He said that the disease is contagious until all the spots have dried up. He said that most cases of chickenpox require little or no treatment beyond treating the symptoms. Dr Sharif Astori from Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC) said that the prescription antiviral drug is effective for shortening the duration of chickenpox symptoms and may be recommended for certain people with chickenpox, such as pregnant women, those with a weakened immune system, and adults who seek medical advice within 24 hours of the rash appearing.
He added the doctor may recommend painkiller and an antihistamine to relieve pain, itching and swelling. He added antibiotics are called for if a secondary bacterial skin infection arises or if the person with chickenpox develops bacterial pneumonia.
He said that Chickenpox is accompanied by severe skin pains and the rash produces a greenish discharge and the surrounding skin becomes red, which are signs of a secondary bacterial skin infection. He said that Chickenpox is accompanied by a stiff neck, persistent sleepiness or lethargy as these are symptoms of a more serious illness such as meningitis or encephalitis.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PTI to stage nationwide protests against alleged electoral frauds
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
More Stories From Pakistan
-
Passco continue operations to procure 75000 ton wheat in Burewala zone, says zonal head
9 minutes ago -
Pak Chef attracts tourists through traditional cuisines at cooking competition
9 minutes ago -
World Earth Day observed in Sukkur
9 minutes ago -
JICA delegation visits Education Secretariat South Punjab
9 minutes ago -
NH&MP conducts road safety awareness seminar for students
9 minutes ago -
Lahore-Paris rally to highlight the positive image of Pakistan; Rana Mashhood
9 minutes ago
-
UK higher Education leaders visit CUI
9 minutes ago -
DPO inaugurates blood donation camp
9 minutes ago -
9th class student stabbed in Kohat
9 minutes ago -
Pak Chef attracts tourists through traditional cuisines at cooking competition
19 minutes ago -
Lahore police conducted 1,213 search & combing operations this year
19 minutes ago -
Inimical forces impeding Pakistan's development to be failed with nation's support: COAS
29 minutes ago