Runny nose, mild cough, slight headache, may be chickenpox

Various stages of the infectionBecause of the appearance of rashes on Greg’s body and feeling of uneasiness, his father rushed down to a native doctor and was asked to make sacrifice to appease the gods who had struck his little child so as to avert further bad and unpleasant occurences.

On his way home, Ade ran into an old friend of his who is a medical practitioner. Concerned about the worrisome disposition of his friend, he probed to know what was his plight.

It was during their discussion that the medical doctor got to know that what he was so worried about and was about going to make sacrifice for, were just the manifestations of chickenpox.

Ade was skeptical about his medical doctor friend’s diagnosis, but his friend had to follow him home, took Greg to his clinic, subjected him to test, after which it was confirmed that Greg actually had chickenpox.

Anti-viral drugs were administered to the boy, alongside with calamine lotion, which was meant to ease the itching and within two weeks, Greg was back on his feet and fit to resume school the week after.

Most people, especially mothers, hold on to erroneous beliefs may be because of some cultural beliefs that were passed on to them by their parents; most of which are not true, among which was Ade’s situation of attributing chickenpox to the deeds of anyry gods. Probably, if Ade had not met his doctor-friend, and had gone ahead to appease a so-called god, his son, Greg might have died in the process.

Chickenpox is a common illness among kids, particularly those under age twelve. It is a viral infection which is contagious because it is airborne, according to Dr. Ojo Samuel, a Senior Medical Officer at Oni Memorial Children’s Hospital, Ibadan.

He said that, at any point in time, especially during the dry season when it is commonest that you begin to notice an increase in your child’s body temperature, slight headache, or a general feeling of uneasiness and discomfort (malaise), plus mild cough and runny nose within the first two days of illness before skin rash starts or appears, know that these are signals of chicken pox.

Dr. Ojo added that the simple way to know that the rash on the child’s body is not measles is that, the rashes are not raised and on bursting, bring out clear fluid.

Though, the rash caused by chickenpox is also red and itchy like measles’ appearance, the rash starts from the trunk and then spreads to other parts of the body, but it rarely affects the palms of the hands and soles of the child’s feet, added Dr. Ojo.

According to a medical documentation, it was illustrated that chicken pox starts with rashes which appear as multiple, small, red bumps that look like pimple or insect bites. And it is these red bumps that develop into thinwalled blisters which are then filled with clear fluid and not puss-like as we have in measles.

It is these blister walls that break to leave open sores which finally crust over to become dry, brown scabs.

However, Dr. Ojo added that, chicken pox, as earlier mentioned is a viral infection but that secondary bacterial infection can set in, thus predisposing the infected child to pneumonia, arthritis and brain infection. And in such cases, antibiotics are administered to treat the bacterial infection that has set in.

Speaking on the contagious nature of chicken-pox, the medical practitioner said, the virus can be transmitted if a child has direct contact with an already infected child. Also, it can be transfered through droplets that are dispersed into the air by coughing and sneezing of an already infected person, he submitted.

A person who has chicken pox can transmit the virus within 48 hours before the rash even appears and the infection remains contagious until all the rash spots crust over. But it is most contagious during the early stage of the rash or shortly before the rash, the expert explained.

This is the reason it is advised, according to Ojo that, any child that is in contact with another child (in school or creche) already infected, should be vaccinated within 96 hours of contact to prevent him or her from chicken pox too.

It is quite relieving also to know that person(s) who have been vaccinated against chicken pox are usually immune to the virus. And the same is also true of anyone who has had it in the past.

But, once any rash is being noticed, that is itchy and is followed or accompanied by any or all of the earlier mentioned symptoms in a child, such a child is expected to be taken to the hospital for diagnosis and right treatment.

Dealing with the discomfort of Chickenpox

YOU can help relieve the itchiness, fever, and discomfort of chickenpox by:

* Using cool wet compresses or giving baths in cool or lukewarm water every 3 to 4 hours for the first few days. Oatmeal baths, available at the supermarket or pharmacy, can help to relieve itching. (Baths do not spread chickenpox.)

* Patting (not rubbing) the body dry.

* Putting calamine lotion on itchy areas (but don’t use it on the face, especially near the eyes), helps relieve itching

* Giving your child foods that are cold, soft, and bland can be helpful because chickenpox in the mouth may make drinking or eating difficult. Avoid feeding your child anything highly acidic or especially salty, like orange juice.

* Ask your doctor or pharmacist about pain-relieving creams to apply to sores in the genital area.

* Giving your child acetaminophen regularly to help relieve pain if your child has mouth blisters.

* Never use aspirin to reduce pain or fever in children with chickenpox because aspirin has been associated with the serious disease Reye syndrome, which can lead to liver failure and even death.

As much as possible, discourage kids from scratching. This can be difficult for them, so consider putting gloves or socks on your child’s hands to prevent scratching during sleep. In addition, trim fingernails and keep them clean to help lessen the effects of scratching, including broken blisters and infection.