Diagnosis
As a rule, the diagnosis can be made by a doctor after talking to the patient and examining him or her on the basis of the typical symptoms. This applies to adults and children. In the case of atypical or very mild courses of disease, such as after vaccination (breakthrough varicella), the diagnosis can be secured by detecting viral genetic material in the blood of the sick person. Using antibodies from the blood of the sick person, a distinction can be made between an initial infection and recurrence (shingles).
How high is the risk of infection?
Chickenpox is one of the most infectious diseases in the western world. Most people get infected by a droplet infection. Microscopic drops of liquid with virus particles from the respiratory tract of a sick person can be inhaled from a distance of several meters and lead to the disease.
A smear infection is also possible. In particular, contact with the saliva of sick persons is infectious, as is the liquid content of the skin blisters. Even if these liquids get on objects, they are still infectious. If chickenpox occurs in pregnant women, it leads to symptoms in the unborn child in 1-2% of cases (diaplacental transmission). The risk is highest between the 5th and 24th week of pregnancy.
Associated symptoms
The typical rash of chickenpox is accompanied by severe itching. Nevertheless, the blisters should not be scratched. On the one hand to prevent scarring, on the other hand because bacteria can settle in the scratched areas and cause an additional infection (bacterial superinfection).
This leads to inflammation and increased scarring. In cases of severe itching Dimetinden can help, for example in the form of Fenistil® drops or dragees. Adults should take 1-2mg maximum three times a day (1mg usually corresponds to 20 drops or 1 tablet). For more detailed information, please refer to the package insert and ask your treating physician.
Fever
Fever occurs in about one third of cases in children, and much more frequently in adults. Chickenpox can sometimes cause high temperatures of up to 40°C. At high temperatures, fever can be lowered with ibuprofen 400, for example.
Aspirin should be avoided, as its administration in combination with chickenpox infection can lead to serious side effects (Reye’s syndrome: acute encephalopathy and liver dysfunction), which occur less frequently in adults than in children. Even higher temperatures may occur in adults. In case of fever, a doctor should be consulted or a hospital should be consulted.
