Also called as Varicella, chicken pox is a disease that is highly contagious. While the condition is common in children, it can also affect adults with compromised immune systems. As such, it is considered important to know the different ways in which one can stay safe from the disease.
Chicken Pox Vaccine
One of the safest ways to remain safe from chicken pox is to opt for varicella vaccine at a very young age itself. The first dose is usually administered between the ages of 12 and 15 months while the second dose is administered between the ages of 4 and 6 years. Children who remain unvaccinated should opt for the two catch-up doses of the vaccine (3 months apart for children between 7 and 12 years of age, and 4 weeks apart for children more than 12 years of age). Adults who are unvaccinated should receive two catch up doses of the vaccine as well, at least 4 weeks apart. Getting vaccinated would prove to be an easy cure as well as prevention tactic for chicken pox, especially if you are vulnerable to the disease.
Refrain from Personal Contact
Contact with the red bumps can cause the disease to spread from one person to another. Even respiratory droplets from the infected person can carry the disease carriers to other individuals. In most cases, the disease and the person who has it, would be most infection for at least 48 hours before the first rashes start appearing, and would remain the same until the rash and bumps are crusted over.
As such, it becomes important for an individual with chickenpox to refrain from close contact with others. While open rashes and oozing bumps need to be covered properly with dressing, the infected individual must make it a point to follow proper sneezing and cough etiquette when in the company of others.
Practice Proper Hygiene
It is considered very important to practice proper hygiene during this period. Those who come in contact with the rashes or bumps must wash their hands properly. Sharing pillows, clothes, towels and other accessories with the infected individual needs to be strictly avoided. Contaminated items should also be disinfected by being soaked in boiling water for about 15 minutes or so until the disease carriers die.
Preventing Shingles
Although it is not unusual for a person who had got chickenpox in his/her childhood to never get it in his/her life again, chances are the virus may reactivate itself in the nerves, causing a condition called shingles. Similar to chicken pox, a shingles breakout could lead to the development of red, fluid filled blisters all over the body. As such, the same preventive measures need to be followed as in the case of chickenpox.
Summary
Chickenpox is not uncommon in children and adults. However, the condition can cause a lot of pain and discomfort to the concerned individual. By following the simple steps mentioned above, one can handle the condition better in addition to preventing recurrences.
