Chickenpox and Its Epidemiology
Chickenpox and its Epidemiology
Grand Canyon University
Concepts in Community and Public Health Nursing
NRS 427V
February 20, 2014
Chickenpox and its Epidemiology
Chickenpox is a viral infection caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) transmitted via the respiratory route that causes itchy, blisters-like rashes usually lasting about 5-10 days. It is highly contagious transmitted by person to person contact (direct) from respiratory secretions or indirectly through contact with airborne respiratory droplets, via soiled inanimate objects infected by discharge from skin lesions, vesicle discharges or nasopharyngeal secretions. The incubation period lasts about 10-21 days and the disease is communicable 1-2 days before and until the lesions become crusted.
The symptoms includes a low grade fever, headache and listlessness which occurs in the prodromal period. This is followed by the appearance of an itchy rash usually mostly on the scalp and trunk but can affect the entire body and mucus membranes such as the mouth with an appearance of shallow white ulcers. The pruritic rash has three phase; macular, papular and vesicular which forms scab and crust over. Fetal effects are rare congenital symptoms which presents as congenital varicella syndrome with infection during the first trimester of pregnancy, low birth weight, extremity atrophy, scarring of the skin and eyes and neurological abnormalities (Maurer & Smith 2013).
Treatment of acute infection includes isolation of the infected person at home until the lesions have crusted and supportive by rest, relief of itching with the use of calamine lotion, tepid oatmeal baths and antihistamines, use of mittens and wearing nails short to prevent developing bacterial infection of the skin due to scratching. The use of antipyretics but non aspirin containing medication as this is associated with Reyes Syndrome. Antiviral may be used for immunocompromised persons are those at risk for
Grand Canyon University
Concepts in Community and Public Health Nursing
NRS 427V
February 20, 2014
Chickenpox and its Epidemiology
Chickenpox is a viral infection caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) transmitted via the respiratory route that causes itchy, blisters-like rashes usually lasting about 5-10 days. It is highly contagious transmitted by person to person contact (direct) from respiratory secretions or indirectly through contact with airborne respiratory droplets, via soiled inanimate objects infected by discharge from skin lesions, vesicle discharges or nasopharyngeal secretions. The incubation period lasts about 10-21 days and the disease is communicable 1-2 days before and until the lesions become crusted.
The symptoms includes a low grade fever, headache and listlessness which occurs in the prodromal period. This is followed by the appearance of an itchy rash usually mostly on the scalp and trunk but can affect the entire body and mucus membranes such as the mouth with an appearance of shallow white ulcers. The pruritic rash has three phase; macular, papular and vesicular which forms scab and crust over. Fetal effects are rare congenital symptoms which presents as congenital varicella syndrome with infection during the first trimester of pregnancy, low birth weight, extremity atrophy, scarring of the skin and eyes and neurological abnormalities (Maurer & Smith 2013).
Treatment of acute infection includes isolation of the infected person at home until the lesions have crusted and supportive by rest, relief of itching with the use of calamine lotion, tepid oatmeal baths and antihistamines, use of mittens and wearing nails short to prevent developing bacterial infection of the skin due to scratching. The use of antipyretics but non aspirin containing medication as this is associated with Reyes Syndrome. Antiviral may be used for immunocompromised persons are those at risk for
References: Smith, C. and Maurer F. (2013): Community/ Public Health Nursing Practice; Saunders, Pageburst online 5th edition retrieved from www.evolve.elsiver.com Fact about Chickenpox (Varicella) CDC-OC (n.d) retrieved from http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/article/facts_about_chickenpox_varicella_cdc_oc.htm Determinants of Health: HealthyPeople.gov (n.d) retrieved from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/about/DOHAbout.aspx Strohschein, S., Olson Keller, L., Briske, L. (web n.d) Population-Based Public Health Nursing Practices: The intervention Wheel retrieved from http://www.coursewareobjects.com/object/evolvebook_pages/Stanhope/pdfs/Stanhope_Ch09.pdf Diagram of Epidemiological Triangle retrieved from https://www.google.com/search CDC Chickenpox Varicella (2014) retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/vaccination.html NCIRD (2012) retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncird/DVD.html