Chickenpox is the best-known infectious disease. Almost every child gets it and it is a highly contagious disease. But what are the symptoms of this disease and why is it so contagious?
Chicken-pox
This infectious disease is caused by a virus and usually occurs in winter/spring. Almost all children get this disease and fortunately it is not a serious disease. It lasts about 7 days and heals spontaneously. After healing, one is immune for life.
Incubation period
The incubation period is the time between the actual infection and the appearance of the first symptoms. During this time, an infectious disease can already be contagious. For Chickenpox, the incubation period is 14 to 21 days.
Symptoms and complications
Common symptoms of Chickenpox are;
- Initially mild fever, coughing and headache,
- After a few days, small red bumps appear on which blisters develop after 6 to 12 hours. These blisters can be very itchy,
- The blisters then open or dry up, scabs form that fall off after 7 to 10 days.
- Chickenpox mainly occurs on the trunk, face, between the hair and in the mouth.
Common complications with Chickenpox;
- Infection of the skin due to scratching,
- Pneumonia,
- Meningitis,
- In pregnant women who are about to give birth, chickenpox can have negative consequences for the baby.
Contamination and consequences
The disease is contagious from one day before the blisters appear until all blisters have dried. The virus spreads through small moisture droplets that float in the air. These droplets come from the nasal or pharynx of the sick child, and via the fluid from the blisters.
Exclusion from daycare, playgroup or school
With some infectious diseases, a child is not welcome at a daycare center, playgroup or school for a while because of the high risk of infection. The GGD (Municipal Health Care) has drawn up rules for this. A child with chickenpox does not need to be excluded. It is wise that parents of children and pregnant women are informed.
Report to the GGD
For some infectious diseases, a treating physician is obliged to report to the GGD that a child has this infectious disease. Chickenpox does not have to be reported to the GGD.