Dr. Kishore Chandki

Child Specialist

Name OriginName Origin

• The skin appears to be pecked by ‘chickens’The skin appears to be pecked by ‘chickens’• Resembles the seeds of ‘Chick Peas’Resembles the seeds of ‘Chick Peas’• Most common explanation is that its not that Most common explanation is that its not that

dangerous so it’s a “chicken” version of Poxdangerous so it’s a “chicken” version of Pox• Reflects a corruption of the Old English word Reflects a corruption of the Old English word

giccin, which meant giccin, which meant itchingitching• Pox is another word for a curse, which is what it Pox is another word for a curse, which is what it

was believed to be in medieval times.was believed to be in medieval times.

Goddess Shitala wears a red-colored dress and rides around the villages in North India on a donkey (ass) and inflicting people with the dreaded pox – small pox, chicken pox etc. Symbolically, she represents Nature’s power of generating viruses causing disease and Nature’s healing power and is of tribal origin. She is depicted having four hands. In her four hands she carries a silver broom, winnow fan, small bowl and a pitcher with Gangajal, holy water from River Ganga. Occasionally, she is depicted with two hands carrying a broom and pitcher. Symbolically, Goddess Sheetala idol also emphasizes the need for cleanliness!

Name OriginName Origin

About Chicken PoxAbout Chicken Pox• Chickenpox is a viral infection Chickenpox is a viral infection

caused by the varicella-zoster caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV)virus (VZV)

• Usually occurs during childhood Usually occurs during childhood (normally 2-9) , but you can get (normally 2-9) , but you can get it at any time in your life!it at any time in your life!

• Characterized by fever and skin Characterized by fever and skin spots spots

• Skin spots are mostly seen on the Skin spots are mostly seen on the central body, head and neck central body, head and neck

• Children need to be kept away Children need to be kept away from school, kindergarten or from school, kindergarten or child care until all the skin spots child care until all the skin spots have crusted overhave crusted over

• The child may be unwell for a The child may be unwell for a day or two with fever, then day or two with fever, then redness in the skin followed by redness in the skin followed by widespread groups of small widespread groups of small red bumps (purple or brown red bumps (purple or brown in coloured skin) which over in coloured skin) which over the next 2-4 days become the next 2-4 days become blisters. The blisters become blisters. The blisters become white with pus for several days white with pus for several days and then dry to a dark scab. and then dry to a dark scab.

• Once a person has had chicken Once a person has had chicken pox, there is long lasting pox, there is long lasting immunity and a second attack immunity and a second attack is unlikely!is unlikely!

About Chicken PoxAbout Chicken Pox

• Highly ContagiousHighly Contagious

• Persons to person Persons to person contact or contact or sneezing/coughingsneezing/coughing

• The child is infectious The child is infectious for about 7 days, 2 days for about 7 days, 2 days before until 5 days after before until 5 days after the rash first appearsthe rash first appears

• Dry scabs are NOT Dry scabs are NOT infectiousinfectious

TransmissionTransmission

Treatment Treatment

• Acyclovir for 5 daysAcyclovir for 5 days• Paracetamol: Aspirin Paracetamol: Aspirin

should be avoidedshould be avoided• Calamine lotion to stop Calamine lotion to stop

itchingitching• In medieval times and In medieval times and

still today, oatmeal still today, oatmeal baths are used to baths are used to relieve itching.relieve itching.

ComplicationsComplications

ComplicationsComplications

Prevention

• Vaccination(Varicella)

Or…for the extremely paranoid• Quarantine

• Kill everyone around you

Preventive Treatment after Preventive Treatment after ExposureExposure

• Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin (VZIG) Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin (VZIG)

• Only offers temporary protectionOnly offers temporary protection

• Recommended for:Recommended for:

o Newborns whose mothers have chickenpox 5 days prior to 2 days Newborns whose mothers have chickenpox 5 days prior to 2 days after delivery after delivery

o Children with leukemia or lymphoma who have not been Children with leukemia or lymphoma who have not been vaccinatedvaccinated

o Persons with cellular immunodeficiencies or other immune Persons with cellular immunodeficiencies or other immune problems problems

o Persons receiving drugs, including steroids, that suppress the Persons receiving drugs, including steroids, that suppress the immune system immune system

o Pregnant women Pregnant women

Chicken Pox (Varicella) VaccineChicken Pox (Varicella) VaccineSingle doseSingle dose

Given Above 1 year ageGiven Above 1 year age

Below skinBelow skin

No feverNo fever

To vaccinate or not?To vaccinate or not?• Saves livesSaves lives• Saves $$$Saves $$$• Kids don’t miss school, Parents don’t miss workKids don’t miss school, Parents don’t miss work• > 85% percent affective in preventing disease> 85% percent affective in preventing disease• Less likely to develop Shingles/ZosterLess likely to develop Shingles/Zoster• If someone does get Chicken Pox after vaccination, If someone does get Chicken Pox after vaccination,

it usually is a lot it usually is a lot less worse than a typical case than a typical case resulting in a few skin lesions, little to no fever and resulting in a few skin lesions, little to no fever and lasting fewer dayslasting fewer days

Is it an Optional Vaccine?Is it an Optional Vaccine?• NoNo• Don’t say like this: Chicken Pox is usually pretty Don’t say like this: Chicken Pox is usually pretty

harmless. No use in vaccinatingharmless. No use in vaccinating• Vaccines are important in our climateVaccines are important in our climate• Natural immunity is a Natural immunity is a RISKY alternative to alternative to

vaccination!vaccination!• Child can spread disease to friends, family & Child can spread disease to friends, family &

parents. 1 in 5 adults who gets chicken pox; develops parents. 1 in 5 adults who gets chicken pox; develops pneumonia which can be deadlypneumonia which can be deadly

• It’s easier, safer, and cheaper to vaccinate a child It’s easier, safer, and cheaper to vaccinate a child than to treat a disease!than to treat a disease!

Indian Academy of Pediatrics, 2008Indian Academy of Pediatrics, 2008

Strongly Consider!

SummarySummary

Chicken Pox or Chhoti Mata is a common Chicken Pox or Chhoti Mata is a common illness affecting childrenillness affecting children

Contrary to popular belief, it requires Contrary to popular belief, it requires treatment with antiviral medicinestreatment with antiviral medicines

Vaccine is an effective way of preventing Vaccine is an effective way of preventing Chicken Pox!Chicken Pox!