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Treatment of the chickenpox starts with prevention. The best protection from getting or spreading the chickenpox is receiving chickenpox vaccination. It is possible that a person who has had chickenpox vaccination may still get chickenpox, but the disease is generally far milder and the duration is shorter.
Preventing the spread of chickenpox and other contagious diseases includes covering the mouth and nose with an elbow or a tissue when sneezing or coughing and washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Avoiding contact with a person who has chickenpox and staying away from other when you have chickenpox is also key to preventing its spread. Chickenpox is highly contagious until all of the blisters of the chickenpox rash have scabbed over, generally after about 7 to ten days.
There is no cure for the chickenpox. Good supportive care is needed to keep the body strong and able to resist secondary bacterial infections and other complications.
Once the disease is contracted, treatment includes measures to help relieve symptoms so that a person is comfortable enough to get the rest needed to keep up strength and recover without developing complications. Treatment includes rest and over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, to ease discomfort and fever. Aspirin should never be given to children or adolescents who have chickenpox or a fever because of the risk of developing a life-threatening disorder called Reye's syndrome.
Other medications that may be recommended include calamine lotion that can be applied to the rash to ease itching. An antihistamine may also be prescribed to ease itching. An anesthetic, pain-relieving cream can help to ease discomfort of the rash that occurs in the genital area. Good care also includes rest and drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Antibiotics are not prescribed for the chickenpox because they are ineffective against the virus that causes the chickenpox. However, antibiotics may be prescribed if a person develops a secondary bacterial infection as a complication of the chickenpox, such as a cellulitis or bacterial pneumonia. In some cases antiviral medication may be prescribed to help reduce the severity and shorten the length of chickenpox.
The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Chickenpox includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
Alternative treatments or home remedies that have been listed as possibly helpful for Chickenpox may include:
The first step in getting correct treatment is to get a correct diagnosis. Differential diagnosis list for Chickenpox may include:
Products, offers and promotion categories available for Chickenpox:
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Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment or change in treatment plans.
Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Chickenpox include:
The following are some of the latest treatments for Chickenpox:
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The following medical news items are relevant to treatment of Chickenpox:
Effective medications (e.g., acyclovir) are available to treat chickenpox in healthy and immunocompromised persons (e.g, those with cancers, HIV/AIDS, receiving medications that depress the immune system). (Source: excerpt from Facts About Chickenpox (Varicella): CDC-OC)
Varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG), an immune globulin made from plasma from healthy, volunteer blood donors with high levels of antibody to the varicella zoster virus, is recommended after exposure for persons at high risk for complications (e.g., immunocompromised persons, pregnant women, premature infants <28 weeks gestation or < 1000 grams at birth and premature infants whose mothers are not immune). (Source: excerpt from Facts About Chickenpox (Varicella): CDC-OC)
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