Community Health 2

SHS0054

By the end of this topic, student should be able to: Describe identification of chicken pox

Name the infectious agent of chicken pox

Identify the occurrence/incident of chicken pox

Name of reservoir of chicken pox

Explain the mode transmission of chicken pox

Identify the susceptibility person to chicken pox

State the incubation period of chicken pox

State the period communicability of chicken pox

Explain method of control of chicken pox Prevention measures

Control of patient, contact and immediate environment

Explain epidemiological measures of chicken pox

Describe disaster management measure of chicken pox

Describe international intervention of chicken pox

Chickenpox is a viral infection in which a

person develops extremely itchy blisters all

over the body.

It used to be one of the classic childhood

diseases.

Chickenpox usually starts with one spot, but more spots quickly appear, with:

-fever

-headache

-runny nose

-a cough, and

-feeling very tired

The rash starts on the chest and back, and spreads to the face, scalp, arms and legs. The rash can develop all over the body, inside the ears, on the eyelids, inside the nose and within the vagina, everywhere.

The pesky pustules fill with

fluid then scab over.

History and physical examination usually aid the diagnosis of Chicken Pox.

The characteristic skin rash with itching and low grade fever help to make the diagnosis.

Confirmation of the diagnosis is possible by examining the direct scraping of the skin lesion under a microscope, viral cultures or a rising antibody level in convalescing blood samples.

Human (alpha) herpesvirus 3 (varicella-zoster

virus, VZV)

A member of the Herpesvirus group

Worldwide

Chickenpox infection was a common

occurrence, and almost everyone had been

infected by the time he or she reached

adulthood.

Human

Chicken pox is very contagious.

It spreads from person to person by sneezing,

coughing, contaminated clothing and direct

contact with open blisters.

The airborne varicella virus enters the body, then

infects the non-immune person.

2 to 3 weeks

It takes between 10 and 21 days after

contact with an infected person.

Commonly 14-16 days

The stages of chicken pox, from virus to dormancy

Herpes zoster (shingles) on the back

It is usually communicable for one to two

days (up to five days) before the onset of the

rash, continuing until all the lesions are

crusted.

Communicability may be prolonged in

patients with altered immunity.

Usually children who have not had the

chicken pox vaccine.

Adults

People who have autoimmune disorders

the varicella vaccine is recommended for non-immune, healthy individuals aged 12 months or older.

Non-immune individuals who should be specifically targeted for vaccination include:

-household contacts of immunosuppressedpeople

-health care workers

-those working with young children

-women contemplating pregnancy

-parents of young children.

Report to local health authority

Isolation: Exclude children from school,

medical officers, emergency rooms or public

places until vesicles become dry

Concurrent disinfection: articles soiled by

discharges from the nose and throat

Quarantine: usually none

Proctection of contact: Varicella vaccine is

effective in preventing illness

Outbreaks of varicella are common in school

and other institutional settings

Outbreaks of chickenpox may occur among

children crowded together in emergency

housing situations.

David L. Heymann, MD, 2004, Control of

Communicable Diseases Manual, 18th Edition,

APHA, WHO.