Client Initials: Medical Diagnosis: Chickenpox

Pathophysiology Name: Date: Related Diagnostic Test: There are no related diagnostic tests. A varicella-zoster titer can be drawn to see if the person has been exposed to the virus.

Definition: Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which results in a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness and fever. The rash appears first on the trunk and face, but can spread over the entire body causing between 250 to 500 itchy blisters. Most cases of chickenpox occur in persons less than 15 years old. Prior to the use of varicella vaccine, the disease had annual cycles, peaking in the spring of each year.

Etiology: Chickenpox is highly infectious and spreads from person to person by direct contact or through the air from an infected persons coughing or sneezing. A person with chickenpox is contagious 1-2 days before the rash appears and until all blisters have formed scabs. It takes from 10-21 days after contact with an infected person for someone to develop.

Medical Management: Medical management includes Acyclovir is recommended for persons who are more likely to develop serious disease including persons with chronic skin or lung disease, otherwise healthy individuals 13 years of age or older, and those persons receiving steroid therapy. In order for acyclovir to be effective it must be administered within 24 hours of the onset of the chickenpox rash. Persons with weakened immune systems from disease or medication should contact their doctor immediately if they are exposed to or develop chickenpox. If you are pregnant and are either exposed to, or develop chickenpox, you should immediately discuss prevention and treatment options with your doctor.

Pathophysiology: Nursing Management: In children, chickenpox most commonly causes an illness that lasts about 1. Give medication as ordered by Doctor. 5-10 days. Children usually miss 5 or 6 days of school or childcare due to 2. Keep fingernails short in order to avoid scratching the lesions. their chickenpox. About half of all children with chickenpox visit a health 3. Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection. care provider due to symptoms of their illness such as high fever, severe 4. Monitor vital signs. itching, an uncomfortable rash, dehydration or headache. In addition, 5. Keep the patient well hydrated. about 1 child in 10 has a complication from chickenpox serious enough to visit a health care provider including infected skin lesions, other infections, and dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea, exacerbation of asthma or more serious complications such as pneumonia. Certain groups

of persons are more likely to have more serious illness with complications. These include adults, infants, adolescents and people with weak immune systems from either illnesses or from medications such a long-term steroids.

Signs & Symptoms: Symptoms include high fever, severe itching, an uncomfortable rash, dehydration or headache.

Health Deviation Self-Care Requisites: This illness/injury requires the client to: 1. Educate the patient to got to a health care provider, if a fever lasts longer than 4 days or rises above 102 F. 2. Take note of areas of the rash or any part of your body, which become very red, warm, tender, or is leaking pus (thick, discolored fluid) as this may mean there is a bacterial infection. 3. Call your doctor immediately if the individual with chickenpox seems extremely ill, is difficult to wake up or is confused, has difficulty walking, has a stiff neck, is vomiting repeatedly, has difficulty breathing, or has a severe cough.

Reference & Pages http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/varicella/