PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF THE DISEASE

CHICKEN POX
(VARICELLA)

Etiologic agent/causative agent: Risk factors/contributory factors: •Persons

It is infectious disease causing a mild fever and of any age who have neither had chicken
a viral infection and is caused by the a rash of itchy inflamed blisters.
virus varicella-zoster. pox in the past nor been immunized against
chicken pox.
It is caused by the herpes zoster virus and •Newborns especially those born
mainly affects children who are afterward prematurely, under one month old or whose
usually immune mother's had never contracted chicken pox
prior to pregnancy.
•People with a weakened immune system.
Process of the disease: •People with cancer.
-transmitted from person to person by directly •Pregnant women.
touching the blisters, saliva or mucus of an • People who are taking immunosuppressant
infected person. drugs.
-transmitted through the air by coughing and •People who are moderately or severely I'll
sneezing. and are not yet fully recovered
There are three types of chicken pox • People who have certain disorders
-shingles which can linger in your nerve cells affecting the blood bone marrow or
- postherpetic neuralgia ,it is painful lymphatic system.
complication of shingles that disturbs skin and
nerve fibers
- Reyes syndrome causes the brain and liver
to swell.
Diagnostic examination of chicken pox
-it is the most sensitive method for confirming
a diagnosis of chicken pox is the use of PCR
( polymerase chain reaction) testing to detect
VZV in skin lesions
(vesicles,scabs,maculopapular
lesions).Vesicular lesions are scabs if
present,are the best for sampling.

Organs included:
-Chicken pox can be more severe with internal
organs like the lungs and liver affected.
-The rash may first show up on the chest,back
and face and then spread over the entire body
including the mouth,eyelids or genital area.

Fever, Feeling tired, headache a stomachache

that lasts for one or two days.
A skin rash that is very itchy and looks like
may blisters.
Bumps filled with a liquid that looks like milky
water . Scabs after the blisters break.
Skin that looks blotchy. Spots that fade away.

Medical Management Complications may include: Caregiver management

-Chicken pox needs no medical treatment.
-Your doctor may prescribe antihistamine to
relieve itching but for the most part, the
disease is allowed to run its course
•Bacterial infections of the skin, soft
tissues,bones,joints,or bloodstream (sepsis).
•Dehydration •Pneumonia • Inflammation of
the brain •Toxic shock syndrome •Reye's
syndrome for people who take aspirin during
chickenpox • Birth defects when pregnant
women are infected.
-Paracetamol is an acceptable oral pain relief
medication.
-Cool or lukewarm baths may also help.
-Using also calamine lotion on areas below the
face also can provide relief from itching.