Seasonal Diseases: A Slice of Orange - August 2012 - Stop the spread of the pox

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!

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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

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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