VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 8 • AUGUST 2012
A SLICE OF ORANGE Refreshing Your Health
STOP THE SPREAD OF THE POX • Why be chicken over chicken pox? • Putting a stop to the pox • Coping with chicken pox
Stop the spread of the pox WHILE CHICKEN POX SEEMS TO BE A RIGHT OF PASSAGE DURING CHILDHOOD, IT CAN BE CATASTROPHIC WHEN YOU GET IT AS AN ADULT. HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE CHICKEN POX?
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I grew up in an age where chicken pox, together with measles, mumps, and German measles, were simply ignored. “Everyone gets them anyway, right?” is what many parents during that time thought.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 8 • AUGUST 2012
And then, vaccinations became in vogue (and rightfully so), and more and more children got immunized from these diseases, including chicken pox. So fewer and fewer children got chicken pox. Even those without vaccinations seemed to get protected, because there were fewer children to spread the pox in the first place. These children grew up spared from chicken pox, and started going to work with virtually no immunity against it. So when someone from the office gets sick, they are prime target.
Why be chicken over chicken pox? So what’s the big deal? So what if you get chicken pox as an adult?
F
irst let’s learn what chicken pox is all
pronounced scarring (this reason is why most
diabetes, or diseases of the heart, lungs, kid-
about. It is a disease caused by the
adults dread chicken pox!). Also, chicken
neys, or liver, should also stay away. Preg-
Varicella virus. This virus spreads very
pox can recur as shingles (herpes zoster),
nant women with no history of chicken pox
rapidly, through the air. An infected person
where similar, but more localized, rashes ap-
or vaccination should be especially careful.
can simply cough or sneeze, releasing the
pear when your immunity is down. Herpes
virus through airborne droplets. Other people
zoster is very painful, so it is best avoided.
breathing the same air can then become in-
Objects that the infected person uses should be cleaned with disinfectant to prevent the
fected as well. Infected people can already
Lastly, if a pregnant woman gets infected, the
spread the virus to others three days before
virus can be passed on to the fetus, causing
they even start feeling any symptoms, until
catastrophic congenital anomalies.
spread. Frequent hand washing also helps.
four days after the rashes appears. Ten to 12 days after becoming infected, an adult patient first develops muscle pains, itch-
FORTUNATELY, A SINGLE
ing, nausea, fever, headache, sore throat,
BOUT OF CHICKEN
diarrhea, ear pain, or a vague sick feel-
POX BRINGS LIFELONG
ing. Then, rashes develop, first on the trunk,
IMMUNITY TO ITS VICTIM.
spreading to the face, arms and legs. The rash looks like very small, reddish, fluid-filled
Vaccination is critical in preventing adult
blisters, and are very itchy.
chicken pox. A single dose can provide pro-
Putting a stop to the pox
tection, but this is not life long. A second dose
Fortunately, a single bout of chicken pox
Is there a way to stop the pox in its tracks?
should be given five years after. Some people
brings lifelong immunity to its victim.
Being a highly infectious airborne-transmitted
who have received a single dose may still get
disease, the first step to stopping chicken
chicken pox, but their disease will generally
Although there have been cases of chicken
pox is to isolate affected people. This means
be milder, and will resolve faster. They will
pox so severe it was fatal, these are rare
they should stay home, away from other fam-
have significantly fewer rashes (which means
occurrences. If this is the case, what’s the
ily members who have not had chicken pox
less scarring.) and they can go back to work
big deal? The big deal is that the disease
before, or have not completed their chicken
earlier. However, they can still be infectious,
is generally more severe in adults than in
pox vaccinations. People with weak immu-
so they should also be isolated away from
children. Also, the rashes can produce more
nity, such as those with cancer, HIV/AIDS,
others.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 8 • AUGUST 2012
Avoid scratching your rashes, as scratching
a cup of baking soda to warm water, and
can cause scarring. Wear soft mittens if you
use it to bathe yourself. You may also use
keep scratching yourself.
a soft wash cloth or sponge to apply the baking soda on your skin. Leave the bathing
Coping with chicken pox
water on your skin for a few minutes, and
If you do catch chicken pox, what do you do now? Aside from isolating yourself, you should immediately see a doctor. This
OBJECTS THAT THE INFECTED PERSON USES
is because your doctor can prescribe you
SHOULD BE CLEANED
a prescription-only antiviral. However, you
WITH DISINFECTANT TO
should be able to take this within two days after the rash appears—otherwise, it will no
then rinse off.
PREVENT THE SPREAD.
longer be effective. The antiviral does not kill the virus, but it does stop the virus from multiplying. This results in fewer rashes, and
Sedating antihistamines, such as chlorphe-
a lower risk of developing disabling or fatal
niramine or diphenhydramine, can signifi-
complications, such as brain infection (en-
cantly reduce the itching and help you get
cephalitis).
some sleep. These medicines are available over-the-counter (without a prescription) and
You may also substitute the baking soda with
You should also make yourself more comfort-
should be taken three times a day. However,
cooked oatmeal.
able. Bed rest, drinking lots of water, and
they may cause some side effects, such as
taking paracetamol can lower the fever and
palpitations and dry mouth.
Once all the blisters have dried up (crusted over), you may return to work because you
lessen the headache and muscle pains. Baking soda can also help relieve the itch-
can no longer infect others. What’s more,
Itching is the most distressing symptom of
ing. However, many people use it the wrong
you are already immune from chicken pox
chicken pox, to the point of disturbing sleep.
way by using it as a powder. Instead, add
for the rest of your life!
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelinkbenefits.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2012 ActiveLink
Benefits Made Better
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A Slice of Orange
is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD