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If you are planning a pregnancy you should speak to your doctor to review your vaccination status and check your immunity with a blood test.
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There is also the risk of the newborn baby developing chickenpox and other complications. The risk is highest during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. These include abnormalities of the skin, arms and legs, eyes, brain and potentially other parts of the body. Complications include pneumonia, hepatitis and encephalitis.Ĭhickenpox in pregnant women can lead to birth abnormalities in the baby. However, some pregnant women can become infected and have serious illness. Most pregnant women have immunity against chickenpox. People with chickenpox are infectious from 2 days before the onset of the rash until all the blisters have scabbed.
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Blisters that have scabbed do not spread infection. touching the fluid in the blisters of an infected person.breathing in very small droplets that contain the virus which is breathed out by an infected person, such as from coughing or sneezing.How chickenpox spreadsĬhickenpox is spread from person-to-person by: People who do not have immunity against chickenpox can become infected with chickenpox (not shingles) if they come into contact with the fluid in the blisters of a person with shingles. People with shingles should avoid contact with others, especially people at increased risk of serious illness from chickenpox.
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The incidence and severity of shingles increases with age. One in 3 adults who have had chickenpox will develop shingles in their lifetime. Anti-viral medication and pain medication may be required to treat shingles. Symptoms of shingles include a painful rash that blisters. When it reactivates it can cause shingles. After causing chickenpox, the virus becomes inactive in the nerve cells of the body. Chickenpox and shinglesįor some infected people, the varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox can reappear later in life to cause shingles. People who have previously had chickenpox can develop shingles later in life. encephalitis – inflammation of the brain.pneumonia – infection and inflammation of the lungs.
#Chicken pox treatment skin
cellulitis – infection and inflammation of the skin.Some people can have serious illness with complications such as: Chickenpox tends to be more severe in adults than children. Most people with chickenpox have a mild, self-limiting illness, especially people who have been vaccinated against chickenpox. The rash is usually itchy and can potentially lead to scarring. The rash can affect the body, limbs and head, including the mouth, eyelids or genital area. The rash usually begins with small lumps that turn into blisters, which burst and eventually scab over after about 5 days. Symptoms of chickenpox can occur within 2 to 3 weeks after exposure to the virus. Newborn babies, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system are at increased risk of serious illness.Īnyone who has not had chickenpox or who has not been vaccinated against chickenpox is at risk of infection. It usually causes mild illness but can reappear later in life as shingles. Chickenpox (also known as varicella) is a highly infectious viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
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