Baby / 13 March, 2025 / My Baba
What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox (varicella zoster virus) is a standard viral an infection and normally impacts kids – nonetheless, you will get it at any age. It is extremely contagious, and the principle symptom of the situation is the event of small, itchy spots everywhere in the physique. These normally look crimson, pink, or darkish and will be painful. As chickenpox progresses, these spots grow to be blisters and will be extraordinarily itchy. Alongside a spotty rash, individuals usually expertise an elevated temperature, really feel unwell, and lose their urge for food.
What is the danger of chickenpox to unborn infants for pregnant ladies, if any?
If you’re pregnant and have chickenpox, it might doubtlessly put you and your baby in danger, however it depends upon which stage of being pregnant you’re in. For instance, you is perhaps at heightened threat of circumstances equivalent to pneumonia should you contract chickenpox while pregnant. If chickenpox develops as much as 20 weeks of being pregnant, unborn infants are at slight threat of a uncommon group of great beginning defects often called congenital varicella syndrome.
If chickenpox develops instantly earlier than, or as much as 48 hours after beginning, there’s a threat that the baby might be born with a doubtlessly life-threatening model of hen pox referred to as neonatal varicella. It’s due to this fact vital to hunt pressing medical recommendation should you assume you may need chickenpox while pregnant.
The reassuring information is that you’re far much less prone to contract chickenpox when you’ve got had it earlier than and most adults at child-rearing age may have doubtless had it inside their lifetime already.
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Can infants/kids get a chickenpox vaccination?
The chickenpox vaccine is just out there on the NHS if there’s a medical want, equivalent to for many who are in shut contact with somebody who has a weakened immune system or in case your work includes shut contact with sufferers and also you haven’t had chickenpox earlier than, e.g. should you’re a nurse, physician or ambulance workers.
People who shouldn’t have the chickenpox vaccine embrace infants below 9 months previous, pregnant ladies and people with a weakened immune system due to an sickness like HIV or a remedy equivalent to chemotherapy.
The hen pox vaccination is offered privately in your baby from the age of 1 12 months and requires two doses. Read here for extra info on the hen pox vaccine.
Are there unwanted side effects with the chickenpox vaccine?
The most typical unwanted side effects are normally gentle and go away on their very own. Severe allergic reactions following vaccination are uncommon. Symptoms of a extreme allergic response can embrace hives, swelling of the face and throat, problem respiration, a quick heartbeat, dizziness, and weak spot and all the time wants emergency remedy.
How must you assist your baby if they’ve chickenpox?
Chickenpox can and ought to be handled at residence and your baby ought to stay away from nursery or faculty till all of the spots have fashioned a scab – that is normally round 5 days after spots have appeared.
The following at-home treatment and coverings ought to be efficient relating to serving to a baby with chickenpox:
- Drink loads of fluid to keep away from dehydration
- Speak to a pharmacist about taking antihistamine medicines to assist alleviate itching and irritation
- Use cooling over-the-counter lotions or gels to appease the pores and skin
- Do not scrub pores and skin an excessive amount of when washing or drying your baby’s pores and skin
- Dress your baby in unfastened garments
- Give them paracetamol to assist with any ache and feeling unwell
- Try to cease your baby from scratching their pores and skin, inflicting blistering, and scarring as a lot as attainable. Cutting their fingernails might assist with this in the event that they do scratch
If your baby is especially unwell and experiencing some other signs, please converse to your GP or a paediatrician Okay for recommendation. Read extra info on chickenpox from Dr Yiannis is offered here.
Dr Bisola Laguda, Consultant Paediatric Dermatologist at The Portland Hospital (HCA Healthcare UK)
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