The contagious period of chickenpox is how many days?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on November 26, 2024
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Chickenpox is caused by a viral infection. This disease is quite contagious and is mostly transmitted through the air and respiratory system. The contagious period generally lasts about ten days, but it can vary from person to person, with some patients possibly experiencing a longer duration. Generally, children exhibit milder symptoms and have a shorter treatment period. In adults, the treatment period tends to be longer, typically ending when the symptoms have subsided and the blisters on the body have completely dried and fallen off. Once this disease is contracted, it is essential to isolate and treat it properly using antiviral medications. Children and elderly individuals in the household should avoid frequent contact to prevent transmission. After the onset of chickenpox, high fever may occur, so it is necessary to have some fever-reducing medications on hand to prevent other illnesses caused by the fever.

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Written by Yuan Lin Yan
Infectious Disease
1min 7sec home-news-image

How is chickenpox treated?

Chickenpox generally has a good prognosis, and does not leave scars after the scabs fall off. Its treatment mainly includes three aspects: First, general and symptomatic treatment. Patients should be isolated until all the vesicles have scabbed over. Rest in bed during the fever period, consume easily digestible food, and ensure adequate hydration. Enhanced nursing care is important to keep the skin clean and avoid scratching, which could lead to secondary infections. Second, antiviral treatment. Early use of antiviral medications can be effective. Antiviral treatment within 24 hours of the appearance of the rash can control its progression and speed up recovery. Third, prevention of complications. Antibacterial drugs should be used in cases of secondary bacterial infections. For patients with encephalitis presenting with cerebral hemorrhage, dehydration treatment should be administered. Corticosteroids should not be used in chickenpox.

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Written by Yuan Lin Yan
Infectious Disease
1min 2sec home-news-image

Chickenpox prevention measures

Chickenpox is an acute infectious disease, and prevention of the infection mainly involves the following three aspects: First, control the source of infection. Patients with chickenpox are the only source of infection, so they should be isolated until all the chickenpox blisters have crusted over. Second, cut off the transmission route. Avoid close contact with chickenpox patients, prevent airborne droplet transmission, and avoid contact with items contaminated with the chickenpox virus. Third, protect susceptible populations. Chickenpox is highly contagious and generally susceptible in the population. Infants over one year old can be vaccinated with the chickenpox vaccine for prevention. Regular exercise, nutritional enhancement, physical strengthening, frequent hand washing, and maintaining ventilation in indoor environments are also advisable.

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Written by Feng Hai Tao
Pediatrics
1min 36sec home-news-image

How can a child recover quickly from chickenpox?

How can children recover quickly from chickenpox? Chickenpox is an acute contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, mainly transmitted through airborne droplets and direct contact, and is commonly seen in infants and preschool children. Chickenpox is self-limiting, so how does one recover quickly? First, it is crucial to isolate the affected child, practice hand hygiene and disinfection, ensure the child drinks plenty of water, adopt a light and easily digestible diet, avoid stimulating foods such as seafood and spicy items, and provide proper skin care to keep the skin dry, clean, and free from scratching by applying anti-itch ointments. Second, treatment involves antiviral and heat-clearing detoxifying symptomatic treatments. Since there are no specific antiviral drugs, it is important to ensure the child has enough sleep and rest. As long as the child maintains a good spirit and appetite, the usual course of the disease is about a week. Third, try to prevent complications and if there is a secondary infection, antibiotics may be appropriately used, but note that corticosteroids must not be used during the fever phase. The general process takes about a week, and isolation can be lifted once all the rash crusts have fallen off. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang
Infectious Disease
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The Differences between Chickenpox and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Chickenpox and hand, foot, and mouth disease are common infectious diseases in young children. Chickenpox is a febrile rash disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Its rash mainly manifests as maculopapular, vesicular, and crusted lesions, which appear simultaneously. Generally, these are primarily seen on the face and trunk with a centripetal distribution. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is mainly caused by viruses, such as enterovirus EV71 or Coxsackievirus A16. It causes a febrile rash disease with rashes typically found on the hands, feet, and around the mouth. Rashes on the chest, back, and face are relatively rare. Thus, the main clinical presentations of hand, foot, and mouth disease and chickenpox are the different forms of rashes.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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How to treat chickenpox in children?

Chickenpox is a common contagious disease during children's growth. The chickenpox virus usually accompanies a rash and is also associated with high fever that persists and recurs. In such cases, parents should treat mild symptoms at home with symptomatic treatment, including oral antiviral drugs and fever-reducing medication. During the chickenpox, it is important to avoid certain foods that may exacerbate the condition, such as fish, shrimp, eggs, beef, lamb, and specific fruits like mangoes and durian, which are considered to be "heaty." A light diet and plenty of water are recommended. If the chickenpox is severe with extensive vesicles and persistent high fever, hospital visitation is necessary, where IV fluid treatment may be administered if needed. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)