{"id":1306,"date":"2018-04-20T08:16:51","date_gmt":"2018-04-20T08:16:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=1306"},"modified":"2021-10-06T03:42:04","modified_gmt":"2021-10-06T03:42:04","slug":"10-chicken-pox-symptoms-before-and-after-the-rash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/10-chicken-pox-symptoms-before-and-after-the-rash\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Chicken Pox Symptoms Before and After the Rash"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Chickenpox is a viral infection that is highly contagious. The Right Diagnosis website says it is a common illness in the US which affects almost 90 percent of individuals who come into contact with the virus.<\/p>\n

The Mayo Clinic confirms that before the advent of advanced medical science, most people were infected by the virus before reaching adulthood. At the same time, the disease came with serious complications. In some instances, this infection came with fatal consequences. However, with advancements in medical science, including the vaccination, the number of cases of reported chickenpox, as well as the number of related hospitalizations, declined dramatically.<\/p>\n

Recent statistics on Right Diagnosis show that 81 percent of children between the ages of 19 to 35 months are vaccinated for chickenpox each year in the US.<\/p>\n

Owing to the risk factor associated with it, it\u2019s advisable to know the symptoms of chickenpox has various symptoms before and after the trademark rash appears.<\/p>\n

1. A General Feeling of Being Unwell (Malaise)<\/h3>\n

Experts on the MedicineNet website explain chickenpox<\/a> takes around 10 to 21 days to develop after contact with an infected person. An early sign something is amiss with a person\u2019s health is when the patient starts to feel generally unwell. This condition has been called \u2018malaise\u2019. Healthline.com describes malaise, or this general feeling of being unwell, as being characterized by a number of factors: weakness in the body, discomfort, the feeling of having an illness, and general experience of simply not feeling good.<\/p>\n

While all of these things are being experienced, the person will feel fatigued and this tiredness does not go away, even with rest. Exhaustion and lethargy accompany this feeling of being unwell. The reason for this weakness and exhaustion is the body\u2019s immune system attempting to fight off the disease. The body has experienced a disruption in its functioning and has begun to fight off the virus.<\/p>\n

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2. Headaches<\/h3>\n

An initial sign of a chickenpox infection is a persistent headache<\/a>. According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, a person first becomes aware they have contracted the viral infection when they start to experience a headache a few days before the actual rash appears. This headache is unpleasant and doesn\u2019t go away through simple rest.<\/p>\n

Headaches associated with the disease vary in severity but usually, the onset of a more severe headache is incremental, with the infected person first experiencing a mild headache which then escalates into a severe headache or a migraine by the time the chickenpox spots appear.<\/p>\n

Not everyone experiences the headaches associated with the condition in the same way. Small children, babies, and those with low immunity usually suffer more severe headaches, and other chickenpox symptoms, than adults and healthier individuals. It\u2019s recommended to visit a pharmacy to receive a mild painkiller.<\/p>\n

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3. Body Aches<\/h3>\n

Before the tell-tale rash of chickenpox emerges, a person will experience muscle aches and pains. These can signal that there is a disease at hand and symptoms should be noted, even at this stage of the disease\u2019s development. Medical articles identify the aches as one of the many flu-like symptoms of chickenpox, among others, such as fever, swollen glands, and nausea<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some experts say that many children experience nausea and stomach pains a few days before getting the tell-tale rash. The reason for such tummy aches is something as simple as the body attempting to fight off the threatening disease. Such reactions from the immune system cause stomach upsets. To assist the body in fighting the disease, it is important to drink plenty of fluids. Fluid loss from loss of appetite, fever, and loose stools can cause dehydration to occur. Aches and pains can be eased with a mild over-the-counter painkiller.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. Fever<\/h3>\n

The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention explains that fever is one of the telling symptoms of a chickenpox infection<\/a>, even in its early stages, and suggests ways to keep this in check. One of these is the use of non-aspirin medications, such as acetaminophen. Medicine, however, should not be taken without following the necessary precautions.<\/p>\n

It is strongly advised by the center not to use aspirin or aspirin-containing medication for the purpose of relieving fever in the event of this specific viral infection. This is because the use of aspirin in children with chickenpox has been linked to a condition called Reye\u2019s Syndrome. This is a disease that affects the brain and liver, which can have a fatal outcome. The center further advises seeking professional help when a fever lasts longer than four days or rises above 102\u00b0F. As with any fever, bed rest is also recommended.<\/p>\n

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5. Appetite Loss<\/h3>\n

It can be difficult for a patient to eat when feeling unwell. The same is true for people who contract the chickenpox virus. The Mayo Clinic points out that those suffering from the disease often lose their appetite<\/a>. The result of this is weight loss and decrease inactivity. Despite this appetite loss, doctors advise staying hydrated through drinking plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated with nourishing drinks helps to sustain the body during this period of appetite loss.<\/p>\n

Having the right kinds of food to eat can help alleviate appetite and nausea-related problems. It is suggested eating bland, light foods, and drinking light, sugar-free drinks, such as herbal teas. Professionals from the Mayo Clinic explain that if a person stops eating and drinking while suffering from the disease, they will compromise their immune system, meaning the body will have to work even harder to fight off the illness.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. Spots<\/h3>\n

Most people will recognize chickenpox by its trademark spots. In fact, many might not be aware chickenpox has in fact developed until the spots begin to show. By this stage, the disease has fully developed in the body.<\/p>\n

Since the chickenpox rash<\/a> doesn\u2019t show straight away when contracting the disease, it is often contracted in the pre-rash phase. This is because the person might continue with their business and since they are infected, be contagious to those around them \u2013 without realizing it. The rash goes through various stages as identified by Medical News Today. The same site explains that individuals experience the rash in a unique way. Severity varies from just a few spots to a rash that covers the entire body.<\/p>\n

These spots form in clusters and are usually found on the limbs, the chest, and the stomach and the face. They are itchy, small, and red.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. Blisters<\/h3>\n

Those who have had chickenpox will remember the painful blisters<\/a> which develop as a result of the disease. These blisters develop on top of the spots and are also extremely itchy. After around 48 hours, they cloud over and start drying out, forming a crust.<\/p>\n

This crust remains for around 10 days before it falls off as the skin starts to heal. Mouth blisters might also occur, making eating or drinking an unpleasant experience. In such an event, cold drinks and soft, bland foods are recommended. Painful genital blisters can be treated with an anesthetic cream and antibiotics often are prescribed for blisters which have become infected. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recommends calling a doctor if areas of the rash become very tender, or begin leaking pus. This might indicate an infection. Scarring usually does not occur unless the blisters have been scratched, which is often the case as the itching can be hard to resist.<\/p>\n

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8. Itchiness<\/h3>\n

One of the hardest symptoms of chickenpox to deal with, especially for small children, is itchiness. This is because scratching the rash can cause scarring. For small children, being told not to scratch can seem an unreasonable request. Medical News Today suggests some ways to deal with itchiness in a proactive, soothing way. Among these are keeping children\u2019s fingernails clean and shortly-cut.<\/p>\n

For a small child, it is advised placing mittens or even socks over the child\u2019s hands to prevent them from scratching the \u2018spots\u2019 while they sleep. In this way, should the child be tempted to scratch to relieve the itchiness, they will not cut the skin with their nails.<\/p>\n

Calamine lotion<\/a> can also be applied to the rash, and having an oatmeal bath and wearing loose clothing will also reduce itching. It is recommended to take an antiviral medication like Acyclovir within 24 hours of developing symptoms.<\/p>\n

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9. Swollen Lymph Nodes<\/h3>\n

Swollen lymph nodes in chickenpox can alert someone there may be an upcoming infection or that complications have developed. Stanford Children\u2019s Health explains that in such an instance Lymphadenopathy has developed. This term defines a condition in which the lymph nodes swell. Lymph nodes are the bean-shaped organs found in the groin<\/a>, underarm, chest, neck, chest, and abdomen. These act as filters for a fluid known as lymph which is circulated throughout the body.<\/p>\n

Swollen lymph nodes can be identified by swollen glands in the above-mentioned areas. This swelling might occur in one area of the body, or it may be generalized, with distinct swelling in several body areas. In the event of the swelling of lymph glands, it is advisable to seek the advice of a qualified medical professional. In such an instance, prescribed medication can alleviate symptoms and help to treat the underlying bacterial infection. This is essential in avoiding any possible complications.<\/p>\n

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10. A Sore Throat<\/h3>\n

Among the more telling symptoms of chickenpox is a sore throat, which accompanies the condition\u2019s flu-like symptoms. This can cause discomfort and pain, especially in small children and babies. Medical professional Peter Foster explains that a cough and a sore throat are normal symptoms of chickenpox and while uncomfortable should be treated as with any of the other symptoms. The respiratory tract can be vulnerable during this time. Foster explains that adults who smoke are at particular risk. This is because they are more prone to having the infection spreading to the lungs, causing pneumonia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This can cause complications and can even be life-threatening. Mumsnet website reports that little ones, in addition to adults infected by chickenpox, can also experience a rash reaction in the actual mouth and throat region. It is recommended to visit a good doctor to get an effective antiviral and prescribed medicine to alleviate symptoms and help with discomfort and infection risk during the period of infection.<\/p>\n\r\n

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