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Chickenpox

Treatment & Monitoring

What are the treatments for the disease?

Acyclovir is used to treat complicated or more severe cases of varicella. It is not routinely used to treat mild to moderate cases in healthy children.

Home care suggestions are designed to treat the symptoms. These include:

acetaminophen to treat discomfort and fever over 102 degrees. Aspirin should be avoided in a person with chickenpox because of a link between aspirin, chickenpox, and a serious infection called Reyes syndrome.

cool, tepid baths. A cool or lukewarm bath with 1/2 cup of baking soda or oatmeal added to it will decrease itching from the rash. It may help to have several baths a day for the first few days of the rash.

calamine lotion to reduce itching from the rash

diphenhydamine, an antihistamine medication, for itching. The healthcare provider should be consulted before giving this medication to young children.

a soft diet and cool fluids. Avoid salty or citrus foods.

covering the hands of small children with gloves or socks to avoid scratching. Scratching can cause secondary infection of the scabs.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Acyclovir can sometimes cause damage to the kidneys, or kidney toxicity.

What happens after treatment for the disease?

Most people recover without serious long-term effects. But the virus remains and may reactivate at any time to cause shingles.

How is the disease monitored?

Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider. No further monitoring is needed once a person recovers from VZV. If VZV symptoms such as shingles redevelop, a person should contact his or her healthcare provider.

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