COVID and monkeypox may be the ones making the news right now, but at Beckford Health we are seeing an increasing number of chickenpox cases. For this month's health focus we want to revisit this old classic and make sure you have all the information you need to keep you and your whanau in top health. 

What is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a viral infection which, among other things, causes small blisters to appear on the skin. These blisters may look like a rash and can be incredibly itchy. It is important to keep an eye on children with chicken pox as scratching these blisters can cause bleeding, infection and even scarring.

Although chicken pox is often associated with young children, anybody without immunity is susceptible to the virus. Although rare, it is possible for chickenpox to lead to serious complications, especially for pregnant women. So make sure to monitor your symptoms and reach out to your GP team if you have any concerns. 

How do you get it?

Chickenpox is highly infectious and can be spread through air droplets like coughing, sneezing or laughing. Direct contact with fluid from the blisters may also lead to infection. 

How long are you infectious?

For 1-2 days before you get a rash until after the blisters have dried up. This is usually 5-7 days.

Symptoms?

Mild fever, loss of appetite, headache and feeling tired.

Red rash that turns into blisters and get itchy.

Usually mild but in some cases can be severe and means you have to go to hospital.

Spot the pox

There are some similarities between the appearance of monkeypox and chickenpox so it's good to know the difference. Lymph nodes afflicted by monkeypox swell, whereas chickenpox lymph nodes do not. Temperature will be higher with monkeypox, and you may experience backache and lower leg aches. Monkeypox lesions can be firmer, more deeply set, well defined and appear to have a dot in the centre. 

Prevention?

Don’t go for the chickenpox party, your best protection from the virus is the chicken pox vaccine – given at age 15 months on the childhood immunisation schedule. Also previously unvaccinated children turning 11 years old on or after 1^st July 2017 (who have not previously had chicken pox).

For more information check out the links below:

healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/c/chickenpox/

immune.org.nz/diseases/varicella-chickenpox