Chickenpox was something we all dreaded as kids but thanks to the vaccine, the chickenpox virus is not as common as it was for children years ago. In spite of this breakthrough, your child could still get sick with chickenpox if they haven’t received the chickenpox vaccine or are exposed to a breakthrough infection after getting vaccinated.
Whether or not your child has been vaccinated against chickenpox, it’s crucial to learn the telltale signs of chickenpox so you can quickly take the right steps in supporting your child through the infection and making the period less difficult for him or her.
What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox is an infectious disease causing a mild fever and a rash of itchy inflamed pimples which turn to blisters and then loose scabs. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. You can get it at any age, but it’s far more common in children than adults.
Most often than not, chickenpox causes mild symptoms in children, but it can cause your child to feel uncomfortably itchy and to experience blistering skin. Also, children can only get chickenpox one time and then, they are immune to getting it again.
What are the early symptoms of chickenpox?
Many symptoms of chickenpox have similar traits to that of other viral infections, including colds and influenza. Your child might start developing a fever, fatigue, reduced appetite, headaches and body aches, and irritability.
Some symptoms, though not as obvious as the above are telltale signs your child has chickenpox rather than another virus. Here are the symptoms:
- Raised pink or red rash bumps
One of the earliest signs of chickenpox is the development of a rash — bumps that are pink or red in color depending on your child’s skin tone. These rash bumps can appear anywhere on your child’s body, including inside their mouth or eyelids. Typically, chickenpox bumps remain for the entire duration of your child’s infection, usually around a week. These bumps can be very itchy, and your child might have a difficult time keeping their hands from scratching them. - Fluid-filled blisters
Those bumps that appear on your child’s body will eventually turn into blisters filled with fluid. This usually happens after about a day, these blisters eventually pop and go away - Scabs
When the blisters have all popped, they then harden and turn into scabs. Generally, they heal and go away after several days, however, occasionally children can develop permanent scars from scabs.
How can a parent treat chickenpox?
The chickenpox virus lasts roughly a week for most children and keeping your child hydrated and comfortable by giving them plenty of fluids and acetaminophen for any pain and fever that occurs is a good way to make them feel better during the period. You can also help your child minimize itching with cool oatmeal baths and calamine lotion.
Contact the Pediatrics Partners Hospital team for further treatment advice, especially if your child is six months and under, has a compromised immune system, develops a high fever, or shows signs of infection in any rashes, bumps, or lesions.
How to prevent chickenpox
If your child hasn’t had chickenpox, you can greatly reduce their risk of developing the virus with the chickenpox vaccine. At Pediatrics Partners Hospital, we administer the chickenpox vaccine in a comfortable and child-friendly environment.
Getting the chickenpox vaccine means your child probably won’t get chickenpox, and if they do get a breakthrough infection, he/she will experience far milder symptoms than if they weren’t vaccinated.
For care advice for a child who has chickenpox or to schedule a chickenpox vaccination, get in touch with our friendly team by calling 0908 206 6695.
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