Chicken pox is caused by the varicella zoster virus and is highly contagious, usually occurring in children ages 5-9. It spreads through direct contact or respiratory droplets from infected individuals. After an incubation period of 2-3 weeks, symptoms include a slight fever and rash that begins on the trunk and spreads, with blisters forming scabs within a few days. While there is no cure, treatments can relieve itching and fever, and isolation is required until lesions have healed to prevent spread.

1. Chicken Pox
By
talloo

2. Description
Chicken pox is a common disease
caused by the varicella zoster virus
(VZV) which is a member of the herpes
virus family.
 It is very contagious and usually
occurs during childhood (normally 5-
9) , but you can get it at any time in
your life.
It is most common at the end of winter
and the beginning of Spring

3. Chicken Pox
Source: primary secretions of
respiratory tract of infected persons; to
a lesser degree, skin lesions.
Transmissions: direct contact, droplet
(airborne) spread and contaminated
objects.
Incubation period: 2-3 weeks, usually
14-16 days.

4. Chicken Pox
Period of communicability:
Probably 1 day before eruption of
lesions (prodromal period) to 6 days
after first crop of vesicles when crusts
have formed.

5. Note: communicability period
the time during which an infectious
agent may be transferred directly or
indirectly from an infected person to
another person, from an infected
animal to humans, or from an infected
person to animals, including
arthropods ‫.المفصليات‬

6. Symptoms
Prodromal stage:
Chicken pox often begins with a slight
fever, malaise and loss of appetite.
Within 1or 2 days, the rash appears,
normally starting on the chest or back
and highly pruritic.
At first the rash begins areas of red spots
which then form blisters and spreads to
the rest of the body (papule, vesicle,
crust)

7. Symptoms continued
The blisters open and form a outside
within a few days.
The rash can continue to break out for
4-5 days as older lesions crust and
heal.
Itching can accompany the rash along
with fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore
throat and general body aches.

8. Cures and treatments
Cures
There are no actual cures for it ,but you can get a
vaccine shot to help prevent it.
Treatments
Baths with uncooked oatmeal, cornstarch can help
relieve itching.
Tylenol is used for fever or pain relief. (Aspirin should be
avoided.)
Antiviral drugs such as Acyclovir may be prescribed.
You can put Calamine lotion on the pocks to help stop
the itching.

9. Nursing considerations
Maintain strict isolation in hospital.
Isolate child in home until vesicles
have dried (usually 1 week after onset
of disease) and isolate high –risk
children from infected children.

10. Nursing considerations
Administer skin care: give bath and
change clothes and linens daily;
Apply mittens if child scratches.
Keep child cool (may decrease number
of lesions).
 Lessen pruritus; keep child occupied.
 Remove loose crusts that rub and
irritate skin

11. Nursing considerations
Teach child to apply pressure to
pruritic area rather than scratching it.
If older child, reason with child
regarding danger of scar formation
from scratching.
 Avoid use of aspirin.