Download Chicken Pox

Chicken Pox
Dana Willard
• Chicken Pox also known as VARICELLA
Common Signs:
• Itchy Rash
• Red Spots or Blisters
CAUSED BY
Varicella-Zoster Virus
the culprit
• symptoms and signs usually don’t show up for 2-3 days
• extremely contagious
– sneezing, coughing, sharing foods or drinks, touching
fluid from blister can spread virus
– person spreads virus without knowing
– usually contracted by unintentionally inhaling virus
Early Symptoms
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Fever
Headache
Sore Throat
Loss of Appetite
Fatigue
Rash Appears After 2-3 Days
Chicken Pox & The Immune
System
• The virus 1st infects the mucous of the upper respiratory
tract
• Viral proliferation occurs in lymph nodes for 2-4 days
after initial infection
= infected area
Cont.
• 4-6 days after initial infection, virus enters
blood stream
• This is followed by a second round of
replication in body’s organs
• ESPECIALLY in Spleen & Liver
1st Exposure
• Body 1st Exposed creates antibodies
– Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
– Immunoglobulin M (IgM)
– Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
1st Exposure Cont.
• B & T memory cells are also created
– If the virus is in the body again, the memory
cells will detect it
• This will help a faster response
• IF there is a 2nd exposure, memory cells
will stimulate cells to create antibodies
Children
• Usually get it around the age of 12
– Can occur earlier or later
• Kids get chicken pox easily
– They spread germs effectively
• It’s not a bad thing for them to get
– They’ll create antibodies which will prevent
any later infections from occurring
Adults
• Chickenpox complications are more likely
in adults than kids
– The blisters/red spots scar easier
– Lead to more serious diseases i.e.
pneumonia, bone infections, etc.
Can Also Cause…….
Shingles!
• Also caused by Varicella-Zoster Virus
– Blistering, painful rashes
– Tends to occur on one side of the body
• Like torso or face
Shingles Cont.
• Can cause damage to eyes or other organs
• Long-term consequence: post-herpetic neuralgia
(PHN)
• PHN is continuous pain even AFTER the rash
has left
• Difficult to treat
• Can diminish quality of life
• Expose kids at a young age
• They will make antibodies to prevent any
second exposures to the virus
• Easier to treat
• Prevent Shingles and other complications