Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It occurs most commonly in children.
Chickenpox is spread by sneezing and coughing or by direct contact with the fluid inside the blisters. After being infected by the virus it takes 10–20 days for the illness to develop – the ‘incubation period’.
People with chickenpox are infectious from two days before the rash appears until the time scabs have formed on the last of the sores. This is usually around seven days after the rash first appeared. Children should be kept at home until the last crop of sores has formed scabs.
Symptoms of chickenpox
The first symptoms of chickenpox may be similar to a cold and include:
Fever
Mild headache
Tiredness
Sore throat
Loss of appetite.
Rash and sores follow
These symptoms are quickly followed by an itchy, red and pimply rash, which soon develops into clear, fluid-filled, blister-like sores. The rash can appear anywhere on the body but usually starts on the face or scalp, then spreads to the trunk and limbs.
The sores can also spread into the mouth and nose, and usually dry up and form scabs after about three or four days. Some children will develop only a few sores but others may have hundreds. The sores may appear in crops over a period of days.
Complications from chickenpox
Chickenpox is usually a mild illness in children. However, it can be more severe in adults and adolescents or in children with other conditions (such as asthma). It can be particularly serious for pregnant women (because of possible effects on the unborn baby), new-born babies or people with weakened immune systems. Try to keep your child away from these people while the chickenpox is infectious.
People usually only have chickenpox once in their life but the virus can lie dormant in the body for many years afterwards. It can be reactivated much later in life and cause shingles. Chickenpox can be caught from people with shingles, but shingles cannot be caught from someone with chickenpox.
Vaccination
A chickenpox vaccine is available for children older than nine months of age, and for adults. However, it is not currently part of the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule so having the vaccine will incur a cost (ask your doctor or nurse for more information if interested in having this vaccine). Parents and caregivers of children aged 12 months to 12 years should consider getting their child vaccinated, if they have not already contracted chicken pox.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
If the person affected has an illness affecting their immune system or is taking medications which can affect the immune system, such as prednisone
If the person affected is pregnant
If the skin around the sores becomes very red and warm or there is pus present – sometimes bacteria can get into the sores and cause an infection.
Meningitis
Meningitis is a medical emergency that can cause permanent disability and death. Meningitis is a different infection from chickenpox, but as there can be some similar symptoms, it is important for parents to be aware of the signs. Meningitis can affect infants, children and adults.
Meningitis can occur very suddenly and requires immediate medical treatment – see a doctor urgently or call 111 for ambulance.
For more information on signs of meningitis, click here
Treatment Tips
Treatment tips for chickenpox
Encourage the child or person to drink plenty of fluids
Encourage the child or person to get plenty of rest
Give paracetamol to reduce discomfort and ease any pain (see Treatment options below)
Do not give aspirin to children under 16 years of age because it may cause Reye’s syndrome – a serious condition
Avoid scratching as much as possible – cut nails extra short and keep hands and fingernails clean to reduce the chance of skin becoming infected
Try using an anti-itch product if itching is a problem
Wear loose-fitting clothes
Antiviral tablets may be prescribed for children at risk of severe infections or complications and for adults.
Treatment Options
Always discuss treatment options with your pharmacist to ensure the best outcome.
Medications to reduce discomfort and relieve pain
[PHARMACY ONLY]
paracetamol liquid preparations (e.g., Children’s Panadol Colour-free suspension, Pamol All Ages, Pamol Infant Drops, Paracare for Babies & Young Children 3 months to 6 yrs, Paracare for Children 6+ yrs & Adults)
Paracetamol is suitable for most people but it is important not to give more than the recommended dose – check labels for dosage instructions appropriate to the age of the child
Give paracetamol occasionally only to relieve discomfort, rather than for reasons such as bringing down a fever as new evidence suggests fever is beneficial for fighting infection
Vaccinations: paracetamol is not recommended for routine use before or after vaccination (i.e., it is not recommended to give it ‘just in case’of discomfort) as it may reduce the ability of some vaccinations to stimulate long-lasting immunity
Paracetamol is also available in other forms (e.g., tablets), which are often [GENERAL SALE] medicines – these may be preferred by older children and adults (check labels for dose appropriate to age – you can also ask your pharmacist for advice)
Paracetamol is a common ingredient in other medicines, e.g., cold and flu preparations (which may be used by adults and adolescents), so be careful not to double dose
Ibuprofen is not recommended because of reports of rare, but serious, skin complications when it is used in children with chickenpox.
Topical anti-itch products
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Pinetarsol, Eurax, Calamine lotion
Pinetarsol can be added to bathwater, or diluted and dabbed onto skin to relieve itching
Eurax cream can be used as long as the skin is unbroken
Calamine lotion is a traditional remedy for itching but may be drying to skin
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) may also relieve itching – add half a cup to a warm bath.
Oral anti-itch products
[PHARMACIST ONLY]
e.g., Phenergan
Phenergan contains promethazine which is an antihistamine that can reduce itching. Promethazine often makes people feel drowsy and so can assist with sleep, which is helpful if the child is scratching at night.
promethazine is available as [PRESCRIPTION ONLY] medicine if the child is under two years old.
Other products
e.g., Solugel
This product is applied over affected areas and covered with a dressing
It may help reduce infection and scarring.
Natural/herbal products/supplements
e.g., Echinacea, calendula cream, vitamin A cream, zinc cream
Children’s echinacea may help boost immunity
Calendula ointment and zinc cream may help reduce chickenpox scarring.
More Information
Phone helplines
If you are concerned about your child and need advice there are two phone helplines available:
Plunketline on 0800 933 922 – for information and advice on parenting and health issues for children under five years
Healthline on 0800 611 116 – for advice about health concerns for people of all ages
Both numbers are staffed 24 hours a day by registered nurses or other health professionals. Calls to either line (within New Zealand) are free and confidential.
Availability of medicines
GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.
PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.
PHARMACIST ONLY may only be sold by a pharmacist.
PRESCRIPTION ONLY available only with a prescription from your doctor or other health professional.
Consumer Medicine Information on some medicines is available at the government website www.medsafe.govt.nz
