Varicella
We talked about Varicella or chickenpox in this column before.
But since I am seeing many cases of Varicella this week , I would like to review this disease entity with you.
Varicella is a very contagious disease caused by Herpesvirus varicellae ang man is the only source of infection.
Transmission is by direct contact or through linen and fomites. Oftentimes, this could be airborne or may be spread by droplet infection.
It is very important to note that the infected individual is contagious about a day before the eruptions and continues to be to the 5th or 6th day after the last scab formation.
Once an individual has varicella infection, the immunity conferred is long lasting.
Clinically, the incubation period is about 2 to 3 weeks and with prodromal symptoms of fever and malaise.
The eruptions start as macules then vesicles described as tear-drop on a pink base.
The lesions may start from the trunk and will spread to exposed parts.
The lesions will appear in different stages at one time. It will burst and dry up in 3-5 days.
The scars are superficial, depigmented and will take years to fade.
When the lesions are secondarily infected then the scars may be deeper.
So, it is advised that patients with varicella should take a bath and should not scratch vigorously. Though, pruritus is the most annoying symptom at this stage.
The disease may last about 2 weeks including the peeling off of the crusts.
Sınce, varicella or chıckenpox ıs one of the vaccıne preventable dıseases, we hıghly advise parents to brıng theır chıldren for varıcella vaccınatıons. The fırst dose ıs gıven at 1 year old and the second dose may be gıven 3 months after the fırst dose or at 4-6 years of age.