Who needs the chickenpox vaccine? What are the symptoms of chickenpox infection?

Chickenpox is an infection caused by the herpes zoster virus. It is contagious, so people with chickenpox generally need to be isolated. Many people will get chickenpox when they are young. After getting chickenpox, they will have symptoms such as fever, headache, loss of appetite, cough, etc. Therefore, it is very important to get the chickenpox vaccine. So, what are the symptoms of chickenpox infection?

1. Is it necessary to get the chickenpox vaccine?

1. What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is an itchy contagious disease. Red bumps will form on your skin (Figure 1). It is caused by a virus called varicella zoster. The virus can stay in your body for years and cause a painful rash called shingles.

Chickenpox used to be much more common than it is now. There is now a vaccine that can help prevent people from getting infected by this virus, and that vaccine is the chickenpox vaccine.

2. Who should get the chickenpox vaccine?

Almost all children between 12 and 15 months old should get the chickenpox vaccine. Then a second shot of the vaccine should be given at ages 4 to 6 years. For the vaccine to be more effective, each person needs two separate shots. People who don't get the second shot can still get chickenpox.

Adults who have never had chickenpox need to be vaccinated, especially if they: work in a health care setting or with children

are in close contact with people who have low resistance to infection , such as people with cancer or HIV Living or working in universities, prisons, or other places where many people live in close proximity

Traveling outside the United States and Canada Women under 45 years old

3. Who should not get the chickenpox vaccine?

Certain children who have problems fighting infections

Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon

Children or adults who have been infected with chickenpox

Americans born before 1980 (most people born before 1980 have been infected with the chickenpox virus, even if they do not remember it)

4. The most common results after vaccination with chickenpox vaccine are What?

The most common side effect is pain where the vaccine was injected.

5. What are the symptoms of chickenpox?

When you first get chickenpox, you will often get:

Fever

Feeling sick

Sore throat

Anorexia

Chickenpox rash will appear the day after these symptoms appear. What starts out are clusters of small, often itchy, red bumps. These bumps swell with fluid and then rupture, after which the rash dries and becomes crusty. These rashes last about a week.

6. How is chickenpox spread?

If you have never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine, you may get chickenpox if you are around someone who has chickenpox.

7. If I think my child or I have been infected with the chickenpox virus, should I go to the doctor?

No. Do not go to the doctor or nurse without calling and asking. Your doctor or nurse may tell you what you should do over the phone. That way you won't risk infecting others in the doctor's office.

8. Will my child or I need treatment for chickenpox?

You may need treatment, but your child may not. Most healthy children will recover on their own without any problems. On the other hand, older children and adults who have not been vaccinated sometimes have problems with chickenpox. For them, doctors and nurses may recommend a drug such as valacyclovir or acyclovir. It helps people get better faster.

You or your child can also use over-the-counter medicines to help relieve symptoms such as fever and itchiness. But you should never give aspirin to children under the age of 18 because aspirin can cause acute encephalopathy in children - Reye's syndrome (see note).

9. What should I do if there are chickenpox patients around me?

If you have not had the chickenpox vaccine, see your doctor immediately. This can be very important to avoid getting sick! Even if someone is close to the virus, the chickenpox vaccine can help. For those who can't get the chickenpox vaccine, there are other options to prevent getting sick.

10. What should I do if I am pregnant and think I may have chickenpox?

See your doctor right away. You should also notify your doctor immediately if you know someone who has chickenpox or shingles, a painful rash related to the chickenpox virus.

Getting the chickenpox virus while you are pregnant can cause problems for you and your baby. If you take enough medication in time, it can still be dealt with.

2. Precautions

1. Isolation

Chickenpox is a highly contagious acute disease. The best way is to isolate. Prevent more people from getting chickenpox due to contagion. In addition, the people affected by chickenpox are mainly children, and the places where children often hang out are kindergartens, schools and other places with many people. It is necessary to strengthen isolation until recovery.

2. Get enough rest

After getting chickenpox, you should pay attention to get enough rest. Patients are prone to fatigue after chickenpox. Especially after chickenpox, it is best to avoid going out in the wind. If you really need to go out, you should wear a mask. It is best to rest in bed at home, but pay attention to the area where chickenpox occurs.

3. Pay attention to hygiene

Chickenpox is an infectious disease, and one of the important ways of infection is through contact. Therefore, after contracting chickenpox, you must pay attention to personal hygiene to avoid chickenpox infection. Especially when itching of chickenpox is unbearable, you must not scratch it with your hands. Rub the affected area with your hands to relieve the itching. You must pay attention to hand hygiene. Nails should not be left too long to avoid scratching the chickenpox and causing secondary infection.

4. Eat a light diet

After chickenpox, you should pay attention to a light diet. It is not suitable to eat greasy, spicy, hot, and meaty foods. These foods may cause the body to feel hot after chickenpox. , aggravate constipation, affect digestion, etc. It is best to eat more nutritious and easy-to-digest foods.

5. Dress loosely

If you have chickenpox, you should wear loose clothes. Especially in the summer, people who suffer from chickenpox must wear breathable clothes to prevent the body from sweating too much and being unable to dissipate sweat in time. Once the blisters are scratched, it can easily cause secondary infection.

6. Observe the condition

After chickenpox occurs, you should also pay attention to the development of the condition. First, we need to look at the changes in the body, including changes in the distribution of chickenpox, the shape of chickenpox, the fluid contained in the chickenpox, etc., and find out in time whether chickenpox has caused other diseases; in addition, we must also check whether the patient's mental state is good, whether he has a fever, etc. etc. If you have any abnormal physical discomfort after chickenpox, you should seek medical attention immediately to avoid affecting your health.