Chickenpox, or chickenpox, is a viral disease caused by Herpesvirus varicellae, and that manifests itself more frequently in children. Most of the time, it presents in a benign form and the affected people tend to present tiredness, headache, fever and loss of appetite.
The most characteristic, however, is the appearance of small, reddish-colored wounds of variable number, which usually appear on the trunk, face, limbs and, in some cases, on the mucous membranes. Soon, these lesions evolve into fluid blisters and, in about five days, begin to heal. As they appear in groups, in the same affected person, such lesions are visible, presenting at different stages.
Transmission is through nasal droplets or secretions containing the virus, even if symptoms have not yet appeared. In addition, the secretion of wounds is also a contaminant, even when the "shells" have already formed. There is also the possibility of transmission from mother to child during pregnancy.
Pregnant women, newborns and people whose immunity is compromised must receive special care, as the The disease, in these cases, can progress to more serious conditions, such as pneumonia, edema, ear infection, herpes zoster (skin rash quite painful) and Reye's syndrome (severe, rapidly progressing and often fatal disease that compromises the liver and the system nervous). In addition, all patients should avoid touching or scratching wounds, as such actions can cause bacterial infections, causing complications and increasing the likelihood of the skin becoming stained.
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As for the diagnosis and treatment, they must be carried out under medical supervision, and the latter focuses on control of symptoms and prevention of complications, since there are no measures that cause the expulsion of the virus from the body. Under no circumstances should the person self-medicate, especially if it is salicylates, such as aspirin, as this act can cause Reye's syndrome. There is no scientific proof of the effectiveness of potassium permanganate.
Due to its high degree of transmissibility, it is important that patients remain at home, resting, for at least a week, to prevent other people from being affected. Introduced in 1995, another effective measure to prevent chickenpox, or more severe manifestations, is the vaccine. In the case of immunocompromised people who have had contact with the virus, the possibility of immunization through the use of globulins should be evaluated.
Remember that people who have already contracted this virus become immune to this disease. However, by remaining latently in the organism, the H. varicellae can cause the outbreak of herpes zoster.
THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH WARNS:
Self-medication can have unwanted and unanticipated effects, as the wrong medicine not only does not cure, it can worsen your health.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology
Brazil School Team