How is chickenpox treated?

Written by Yuan Lin Yan

Infectious Disease

Updated on September 30, 2024

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Chickenpox generally has a good prognosis, and does not leave scars after the scabs fall off. Its treatment mainly includes three aspects:

First, general and symptomatic treatment. Patients should be isolated until all the vesicles have scabbed over. Rest in bed during the fever period, consume easily digestible food, and ensure adequate hydration. Enhanced nursing care is important to keep the skin clean and avoid scratching, which could lead to secondary infections.

Second, antiviral treatment. Early use of antiviral medications can be effective. Antiviral treatment within 24 hours of the appearance of the rash can control its progression and speed up recovery.

Third, prevention of complications. Antibacterial drugs should be used in cases of secondary bacterial infections. For patients with encephalitis presenting with cerebral hemorrhage, dehydration treatment should be administered. Corticosteroids should not be used in chickenpox.

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Written by Yuan Lin Yan

Infectious Disease

1min 47sec

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What are the symptoms and treatments for chickenpox in children?

Symptoms of chickenpox in children vary with age. Infants often show no symptoms or only mild symptoms, which can include mild fever, irritability, and refusal of breast milk, accompanied by a rash. Older children may experience mild fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat, coughing, and decreased appetite. These symptoms persist for one to two days before a rash appears. The rash initially appears on the trunk and then spreads to the face and limbs. Chickenpox rashes often emerge in batches, so the same area may show maculopapular lesions, vesicles, and crusts at the same time. The crusts typically fall off about a week later, usually leaving no scars. Secondary bacterial skin infection, pneumonia, encephalitis, and hepatitis are possible complications. In terms of treatment, infected children should be isolated until all the vesicles have crusted over. During the fever, they should rest in bed, consume an easily digestible diet, stay hydrated, and practice enhanced skincare to prevent infection of the vesicles. Antiviral treatment within 24 hours of rash onset can control the progression of the rash and speed up recovery. If a secondary bacterial infection develops, antibiotics should be used. In cases where encephalitis causes cerebral edema, dehydration treatments should be administered. The use of corticosteroids is not advisable for treating chickenpox.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng

Pediatrics

44sec

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Can chickenpox in children be transmitted to adults?

Chickenpox is a highly contagious exanthematous disease caused by varicella-zoster virus infection. Its clinical characteristics include the successive or simultaneous appearance of papules, vesicles, and crusts on the skin and mucous membranes. Both chickenpox and herpes zoster patients are sources of infection, primarily from those with chickenpox. From one to two days before the onset of the disease until crusting, it is highly contagious, mainly transmitted through airborne droplets and the respiratory tract, or by contact with vesicular fluid. The general population is susceptible, especially pregnant women and people with low immunity, making it possible to transmit to adults.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

51sec

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Initial symptoms of chickenpox in children

Chickenpox is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus, characterized by a rash. Initially, symptoms resemble those of upper respiratory infections such as coughing, runny nose, mild fever, and decreased appetite. Subsequently, maculopapular rashes appear on the scalp and face, which gradually develop into vesicles. These vesicles contain a clear fluid, surrounded by reddened skin and are accompanied by itching. Therefore, if a child exhibits symptoms of an upper respiratory infection followed by vesicular rash, it is important to seek medical advice promptly to confirm if it is chickenpox. If diagnosed with chickenpox, isolation is necessary to prevent cross-infection.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng

Pediatrics

45sec

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Symptoms and Treatment of Chickenpox in Children

Chickenpox is an acute, contagious, exanthematous disease caused by varicella-zoster virus infection. Before the rash appears, symptoms such as fever, discomfort, and loss of appetite may occur. The fever typically lasts about one day before the rash emerges. The rash initially appears on the head, face, and trunk with a centripetal distribution. The rash can present as macules, papules, vesicles, and crusts all appearing simultaneously. Rashes can also appear on the mucous membranes of the mouth and the genital area. The treatment for chickenpox involves symptomatic and supportive care, and antiviral medications may be used appropriately to protect the skin and prevent scratching.

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Written by Yuan Lin Yan

Infectious Disease

1min 53sec

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How is chickenpox treated?

The symptoms of chickenpox often present no symptoms in infants and toddlers, but they may experience low fever, irritability, and reluctance to breastfeed. Simultaneously, a rash appears. In older children and adults, symptoms can include low fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat, cough, and loss of appetite, followed by the appearance of a rash after one to two days. The rash first appears on the torso and then spreads to the face and limbs. Since chickenpox rash typically appears in batches, at the same site one may see maculopapular rashes, vesicles, and scabs. About a week later, the scabs fall off, generally leaving no scars. However, secondary bacterial infections of the rash can occur, leading to complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and hepatitis. Chickenpox is a self-limiting disease that usually resolves itself in about ten days. Treatment of chickenpox involves isolating the patient until all the blisters have completely scabbed over. During the fever phase, bed rest is recommended, along with easily digestible food and adequate hydration. Skin care should be emphasized to prevent infection. Early antiviral treatment can be effective, particularly if administered within 24 hours of the appearance of the rash, as it can help control the rash's progression and accelerate recovery. In cases of secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics should be used. If encephalitis leads to cerebral edema, dehydration treatment should be administered. The use of corticosteroids is not advisable for chickenpox as they can cause the disease to spread.