Chickenpox |
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DESCRIPTION
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Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a common childhood infection. In the United States, most children between 3 to 9 years old get chickenpox. A shot (vaccination) to prevent the disease is now available.
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CAUSES
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Chickenpox is caused by the varicella virus. The disease is spread by close contact with an infected person. It may be 14 to 16 days after exposure before the child gets sick.
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SYMPTOMS
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Fever, headache, and tiredness are the first signs. Many small, red bumps then appear and turn into water blisters. These itchy blisters break and crust over. New blisters keep forming for 3 or 4 days. Your child can give the disease to others until all the sores are crusted over. This can take about 1 week. It takes about 2 weeks for all the scabs to fall off.
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CARE
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There is no cure for chickenpox. Antibiotics do not help. The child needs plenty of rest and liquids. Lukewarm baths and calamine lotion may help the itching.
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