Chickenpox+&+Shingles

Chickenpox & Shingles

=Chicken Pox=
 * ==caused by a virus called varicella zoster==

Symptoms

 * ==start like a cold==
 * ==1-2 days later rash appears ( pinkish dots that quickly develop a small blister on top)==
 * ==amount of chicken pox blisters vary person to person==
 * ==show up in waves==
 * ==after about 24-48 hours the blisters begin to become cloudy and crust over==
 * ==also may develop a stomachache and a fever==

Spread

 * ==contagious==
 * ==for the first 2-5 days==
 * ==can pass by coughing and sneezing==

These tips can help you feel less itchy:

 * ==Keep cool because heat and sweat will make you itch more. You might want to put a cool, wet washcloth on the really bad areas.==
 * ==Trim your fingernails, so if you do scratch, you won't tear your skin.==
 * ==Soak in a lukewarm bath. Adding some oatmeal to your bath water can help relieve the itching.==
 * ==apply calamine lotion, which soothes itching.==

Avoid the itch

 * ==chicken pox vaccine==
 * ==often given at age 1==

=Shingles(herpes zoster)=
 * ==painful,blistering skin rash==
 * ==caused by the same virus as the chicken pox==

Symptoms

 * ==rash (pain, itching, or tingling in the area 1-5 days before)==
 * ==blisters over in 7-10 days==
 * ==clears up within 2-4 weeks==
 * ==fever==
 * ==headache chills==
 * ==upset stomach==

Treatment

 * ==antiviral medicine (shortens the time period normally)==

Expectations

 * ==usually clears in 2-3 weeks==
 * ==rarely recurs==
 * ==may have temporary weakness or paralysis (if virus got to the motor nerves)==

Complications

 * ==postherpetic neuralgia (pain where the shingles used to be)==
 * ==Another attack of shingles==
 * ==Blindness (if shingles occurs in the eye)==
 * ==Deafness==
 * ==Infection, including encephalitis or [|sepsis] (blood infection) in persons with weakened immune systems==
 * ==Bacterial skin infections==
 * ==Ramsay Hunt syndrome if shingles affected the nerves in the face==

Prevention

 * ==Avoid touching the rash and blisters of persons with shingles or chickenpox if you have never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine==