Chicken pox is a very common and highly contagious disease. The chickenpox virus transmitted by direct contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The same virus that causes chickenpox-Varicella zoster-can lie dormant for years, and then resurface as shingles in adulthood. Outbreaks are common within families and in schools and day care facilities. Approximately 3 million cases occur each year in the United States. More than 90% of Chickenpox cases occur in children less than 12 years of age.

Most children contract chickenpox before the age of ten. It first manifests itself as a fever and headache, usually starting between seven and 21 days after exposure to the virus. They are filled with fluid and look like water blisters. The fluid leaks from the swollen areas of the skin, forming a crust. These eruptions continue in cycles, lasting from 3 days to one week. The blisters and crusts are infectious and itchy, and scratching them can lead to bacterial infection and scarring.

Sign and symptoms

Symptoms do not appear until after a person reaches the infectious stage, so it is difficult to isolate those who are contagious. The symptoms are usually mild, with a low -grade fever, general fatigue, and a characteristic itchy rash. The rash of chickenpox develops in crops with raised red. 24-26 hours later, small round "pimples" appear on the face and body. The rash, which usually covers the face, scalp, and trunk of the body, starts as red bumps but quickly develops into small blisters. New red spots will appear every day for up to 5 to 7 days. Consult a doctor immediately if symptoms include dizziness, a fever higher than 1030 F, rapid heart beat, shortness of breath, loss of muscle coordination, tremors, vomiting, and/ or a stiff neck.

Causes and risk factors

Chicken pox is directly caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the herpes virus family. Chicken pox spreads very easily from one person to another. The virus is spread through direct contact with skin lesions, oral secretions or via the air. People at risk of contracting chickenpox include anyone who hasn't been vaccinated or who has never had the disease. People who've been vaccinated against chickenpox are Usually immune to the virus. The same is true of anyone who has had chickenpox in the past. Most chicken pox infections occur from March to May in children under age 15. The important thing is not to scratch or break the lesions as this will invite infection that cause scarring and pigmentation .

Dietary and Nutritional factors

In such situations acidic, spicy or hard and crunchy foods should be avoided as they will cause irritation and discomfort Make sure that your diet includes substantial amounts of fluids that could include fruit juices and coconut water in addition to regular drinking water.

The foods should be avoid that are dark e.g. dark soya sauce, chicken, prawns and crabs for four months because it is "poisonous and gets very itchy." Cannot bathe and wash hair, otherwise wind will enter the body and cause rheumatism in old age.

Recommendations

• " Drink freshly made juice with protein powder and brewer's yeast added. Also drink pure vegetable broth. "
• When the fever drops and the appetite returns, use a "starter diet' consisting of only mashed bananas, avocados, fresh raw applesauce, and yogurt. Don't use cooked or processed food.
• " Take warm bathe with uncooked oatmeal or cornstarch added to the water to help relieve some of the itching caused by chicken pox.
• " Stay out of bright sunlight and keep interior areas dimly lit. "
• Take care not to scratch the pocks. Keep a child's nails short or clean, and bathe the child often. " Family members who have not had chicken pox should have limited contact with other family members who are known to be infected.
• " Catnip tea sweetened with molasses is good for fever and can be given to infants and children as well as to adults.
• For a child over age two, catnip tea enemas can reduce fever. " Other recommended herbs include burdock root, echinnacea, ginger, and golden east, pau d' arco helps to reduce the chicken pox.
• Use to warm baths made with tea prepared with the recommended herbs, or ginger baths using cool water. Sponge the affected area with tea. Wet compresses help to control the itching; use these often.