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BASIC FACTS

CHICKENPOX

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What is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a viral infection causedby the Herpes varicella zoster virus.

It's spread in droplets inhaled into therespiratory tract.

Complications are rare but serious,and can occur in previously healthy

children.

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Whos affected?

Chickenpox tends to affect childrenunder ten. Most children have had theinfection by this age. In older children

and adults, chickenpox can be moresevere.

Children who are immunosuppressed

(for example, on steroids) areparticularly vulnerable to complications,as are newborn babies who may catchthe infection from their mother in late

pregnancy.

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Symptoms

A rash that usually begins on the body and face and lateroften spreads to the scalp and limbs.

It may also spread to the mucous membranes especially inthe mouth and on the genitals.

The rash is often itchy.

It begins as small red spots which develop into blisters in a

couple of hours. After one or two days, the blisters turn into scabs.

New blisters may appear after three to six days.

The number of blisters differs greatly from one person toanother.

The infected person may have fever. These symptoms are mild in young children.

Chickenpox lasts 7 to 10 days in children and longer inadults.

Adults can feel very ill and take longer to recover. They arealso more likely than children to suffer complications.

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Who is at risk for

complications? Pregnant women who have not had

chickenpox.

People with a weak immune system,such as those with acute or chronicleukemia or HIV.

Patients taking medicine to suppress

their immune system, such as long-term oral corticosteroids.

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Treatment

The treatment mostly consists of easingthe symptoms.

Remember that an infected person will

be contagious until new blisters havestopped appearing and until all theblisters have scabs. They should stay athome while they are infectious.

Avoid scratching the blisters because ofthe risk of infection.

Cut the nails short or make the patientwear gloves.

Pay attention to personal hygiene.

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Treatment

Calamine lotion will help relieve theitching.

Keep the patient in cold surroundings, asheat and sweat may make the itchingworse.

In attacks of chickenpox where the itchingis so serious that the child's sleep is totallydisturbed, antihistamine medicines with a

heavily sedative effect can be used.Antihistamines are medicines for allergicreactions, motion sickness or insomnia .

In serious cases of chickenpox in peoplewith a weak immune system, aciclovir (eg

Zovirax tablets/suspension), which worksspecifically against chickenpox, can be

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Complications that may arise

Bacteria may infect the blisters.

Occasionally scars may remain at thesite of the blisters.

Conjunctivitis.

Pneumonia.

In very rare cases, chickenpox canresult in complications such asmeningitis, encephalitis, inflammationof the heart (myocarditis) or Reye's

syndrome.

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Future prognosis

Once a person has had chickenpox,they will have immunity to the diseasefor the rest of their life. However, the

virus may return later in life asshingles.

A person who has active shingles can

infect others with chickenpox, butcannot give shingles to someone else.

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Vaccinations

Chickenpox vaccine can preventchickenpox.

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Who should get the vaccine?

Children who have never hadchickenpox should get 2 doses ofchickenpox vaccine at these ages:

1st Dose: 12-15 months of age

2nd Dose: 4-6 years of age (may begiven earlier, if at least 3 months after

the 1st dose)

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Who should get the vaccine?

People 13 years of age and older (whohave never had chickenpox or receivedchickenpox vaccine) should get two

doses at least 28 days apart.

Anyone who is not fully vaccinated, andnever had chickenpox, should receive

one or two doses of chickenpoxvaccine. The timing of these dosesdepends on the persons age.

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Who should not get the

vaccine? People who had life-threatening allergicreaction to a previous dose ofchickenpox vaccine or to gelatin or the

antibiotic neomycin. People who are moderately or severely

ill at the

time the shot is scheduled should

usually wait

until they recover before gettingchickenpox

vaccine.

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Pregnant women should wait to getchickenpox vaccine until after they have

given birth. Women should not get pregnantfor 1 month after getting chickenpoxvaccine.

Some people should check with their doctor

about whether they should get chickenpoxvaccine, including anyone who:

Is being treated with drugs that affect theimmune system, such as steroids, for 2

weeks or longer Has any kind of cancer

Is getting cancer treatment with radiationor drugs

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People who recently had a transfusionor were given other blood products

should ask their doctor when they mayget chickenpox vaccine.

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Chickenpox vaccine reactions

Mild reactions:

Soreness or swelling where the shot wasgiven (about 1 out of 5 children and upto 1 out of 3 adolescents and adults)

Fever (1 person out of 10, or less)

Mild rash, up to a month after

vaccination (1 person out of 25). It ispossible for these people to infect othermembers of their household, but this isextremely rare.

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Mild reactions:

Seizure (jerking or staring) caused by

fever (very rare).

Severe reactions:

Pneumonia (very rare) severe brain reactions and low blood

count. These happen so rarelyexperts cannot tell whether they arecaused by the vaccine or not. If theyare, it is extremely rare.

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When moderate to severe reactions

arise, call your doctor. Tell your doctor what happened, the

date and time it happened, and when

the vaccination was given.

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Dear Friends,

As you can see in this presentation theChickenpox vaccine has manycomplications and contraindications aswell as positive points. The decision ofneeds of vaccination againstChickenpox should be individual inconcern of your health status andepidemiological situation. Anyway youshould discuss with your family/sitedoctor. Also note that Chickenpoxvaccine is not included in Saipemrecommendation list of vaccination

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Prepared by:Mr. Lawrence V. Hilario R.N., M.N. (u.e.)Saipem Health advisor of QAFCO 5

Medical Department

Saipem S.p.A. Doha, QatarMob. #. +9745059954

Doha.Medic@Saipem.eni.it

Checked by:Dr. Mikhail Nestsiarovich

Saipem Medical Coordinator on the Middle East Area

mailto:Doha.Medic@Saipem.eni.itmailto:Doha.Medic@Saipem.eni.it