Obby, help! (anyone else too, please)

**Kim** · 03-23-2002, 06:34 AM

What does chicken pox look like???

**LPMiller** · 03-23-2002, 06:50 AM

http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure...icken_pox.html

"The scientific name for chicken pox is VARICELLA ZOSTER (say: var-ih-sell-luh zohs-ter). It is a virus (something that causes a disease) that infects the body and produces a blister-like dotted rash on the skin all over the body. These dots can range in size from a pencil's eraser to the size of a dime.
"

**mojo** · 03-23-2002, 06:50 AM

from http://www.drkoop.com/conditions/enc...cle/001592.htm

other pics are there

**Kim** · 03-23-2002, 06:55 AM

Oh Dear Lord, that's what we have! What kind of mom am I that only got the vacination for one of my kids? (The same kind of mom that had the neighborhood kids over here playing 2 days ago) Looks like I've got some phone calls to make.

Thanks LPM and Mojo.

**mojo** · 03-23-2002, 07:22 AM

better to get it when you're a kid than as an adult. so you're still a good mom

**oblongmelon** · 03-23-2002, 07:43 AM

small reddish spots-which "weep" clearish fluid-that causes them to crust over-DONT SCRATCH THEM! and use plenty of calamine lotion Oatmeal baths really do work to reduce the itching if you cant find oatmeal baths-put some regular oats in a blender or food processor and grind them up fine and if you dont have that-then put regular oats in a stocking and toss into a tub of warm water-its the cellulose from the oats that calms the itch-not the oats itself.. Can you remember anyone you know having Pox within the last few weeks? ..it takes two weeks to 18 days from the date of exposure the actual erruption of the pox...Personally I think the vaccinations are crap-I don't know why you feel bad -60 zillion mothers in the US from the beginning of time didn't vaccinate for pox and all of us kids turned out ok..HEY think of it like this-it will give the kid something to talk about when he gets older! ("hey I had chickenpox so bad that I woke up crowing like a rooster")

**Merlin** · 03-23-2002, 09:04 AM

Get well soon.

**Speedfreak** · 03-23-2002, 10:09 AM

Invite all the kids over. Let them get it and get it over with.

**Kim** · 03-23-2002, 10:16 AM

Originally posted by Speedfreak
Invite all the kids over. Let them get it and get it over with.

Funny you said this...I was really worried about calling the neighborhood moms to tell them. All for nothing, they all wanted their kids to get it.

**mojo** · 03-23-2002, 10:24 AM

now, if the ebola virus hits the area...you might wanna be a little careful

**Jenny** · 03-23-2002, 10:26 AM

Oh, Kim! Sorry!

lol So THIS is why your kiddo was home sick from school yesterday... lol

**NuTs62** · 03-23-2002, 01:51 PM

For those of you who have had chicken pox already, don't think you're totally safe! I had chicken pox when I was young, and then just last year, I developed something similar, called Shingles, or Herpes Zoster, and IT HURTS! I developed a bump on my head, had chicken-pox like bumps on the left side of my body. The worst thing is that when I developed this, I called the doctor to schedule an appointment because the pain was unbearable, the secretary scheduled me for a month later!

Anyways.. Here is the info from AAD.ORG

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles or zoster, is a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Anyone who's had chicken pox can develop herpes zoster. The virus remains dormant or inactive in certain nerve root cells of the body and only when it reactivates does zoster occur. About 20 percent of those people who have had chicken pox will get zoster at some time during their lives. Fortunately, most people will get zoster only once.

It is not clear what prompts the virus to reactivate or "awaken" in healthy people. A temporary weakness in immunity (the body's ability to fight infection) may allow the virus to multiply and move along nerve fibers toward the skin. Although children can get zoster, it is more common in people over the age 50. Illness, trauma and stress may also trigger a zoster attack.

People with a weakened immunity for any reason are more prone to develop zoster. They are also more likely to have a serious form of it. Diseases that weaken immunity include cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma, and AIDS. Some medical treatments including chemotherapy or radiation for cancer, drugs taken to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, and cortisone pills or injections taken for a long time for any reason, may also lower immunity.

What are the symptoms of zoster?

Close up of zoster blisters

The first symptom of zoster is burning pain, tingling or extreme sensitivity in one area of the skin usually limited to one side of the body. This may be present for one to three days before a red rash appears at that site. There may also be fever or headache. The rash soon turns into groups of blisters that look a lot like chicken pox. The blisters generally last for two to three weeks. The blisters start out clear but then pus or dark blood collects in the blisters before they crust over (scab) and begin to disappear. The pain may last longer. It is unusual but possible to have pain without blisters or blisters without pain.

How severe is the pain?

The pain is often severe enough for the physician to prescribe painkillers.

Where does zoster usually appear on the body?

Zoster is most common on the trunk and buttocks. But it can also appear on the face, arms or legs if nerves in these areas are involved.

Great care is needed if the blisters involve the eye because permanent eye damage can result. Blisters on the tip of the nose signal possible eye involvement. The dermatologist will usually refer the patient to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) immediately.

What are the complications of zoster?

Post-herpetic neuralgia is constant pain or periods of pain that can continue after the skin has healed. It can last for months or even years and is more common in older people. The use of medication in the early stages of the zoster may help prevent this complication.

A bacterial infection of the blisters can occur, and can delay healing. If pain and redness increase or reappear, you should return to the dermatologist. Antibiotic treatment may be needed.

Another complication is the spread of zoster all over the body or to internal organs. This can also happen with chicken pox. It occurs rarely and most often in those with weakened immunity.

How is zoster diagnosed?

The diagnosis is based on the way the blisters look and a history of pain before the rash on one side of the body. The dermatologist may scrape skin cells from a blister onto a glass slide for examination. The glass slide is then examined under a microscope for changes characteristic of zoster. If there is any doubt, blister fluid containing virus can be sent to the laboratory for special testing.

If someone has zoster, is there any reason to worry about a more serious disease or a poorly functioning immunological system?

The majority of people who develop zoster are otherwise healthy; however, if you have other medical problems or could have been exposed to the AIDS virus, be sure to let your dermatologist know. This could affect treatment. Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history and may order tests, such as chest x-ray or blood studies, to be sure there are no other problems.

Is zoster contagious?

The virus that causes zoster can only be passed on to others who have not had chicken pox and then they will develop chicken pox, not zoster. Zoster is much less contagious than chicken pox. Persons with zoster can only transmit the virus if blisters are broken. Newborns or those with decreased immunity are at the highest risk for contracting chicken pox from someone who has zoster. Patients with zoster rarely require hospitalization.

Is there much scarring?

Scarring usually occurs only after more severe infections, such as in those with weakened immune systems, elderly persons or those whose blisters become infected.

What about treatment?

Zoster, usually clears on its own in a few weeks and seldom recurs. Pain relievers and cool compresses are helpful in drying the blisters.

If diagnosed early, oral anti-viral drugs can be prescribed to decrease both viral shedding and the duration of skin lesions. They are routinely prescribed for severe cases of zoster - with eye involvement, for example - or for those with decreased immunity.

These drugs occasionally cause headache, stomach upset or lightheadedness. The earlier treatment is started the better. These drugs do not seem to prevent post-herpetic neuralgia, but may shorten its duration.

Corticosteroids, sometimes in combination with anti-viral drugs, also are used for severe infection, such as in the eyes, and to reduce severe pain. Nerve blocks can also help to control pain.

Post-herpetic neuralgia can be treated with an oral medication at night and frequent use of pain relievers during the day. The oral medications are called anti-depressants and anti seizure medicines but are also used to treat other painful conditions. An ointment containing capsaicin, an extract of pepper, is helpful for some people. The ointment is applied to painful areas of the skin three to four times a day and the pain gradually eases over one to three weeks.

**BrewMaster** · 03-23-2002, 01:57 PM

you kid is lucky Kim. i had chicken pox on Christmas when i was 6. it sucked. at least your kid gets to miss school. i just got to miss all the Christmas parties and good food at the relatives.

**Kim** · 03-23-2002, 02:03 PM

Originally posted by BrewMaster
you kid is lucky Kim. i had chicken pox on Christmas when i was 6. it sucked. at least your kid gets to miss school. i just got to miss all the Christmas parties and good food at the relatives.

That DOES suck! My sisters both got it on the same Halloween. No trick-or-treating!

**revil** · 03-23-2002, 04:10 PM

just make sure your spots aren't purple

**oblongmelon** · 03-23-2002, 04:30 PM

Originally posted by NuTs62
For those of you who have had chicken pox already, don't think you're totally safe! I had chicken pox when I was young, and then just last year, I developed something similar, called Shingles, or Herpes Zoster, and IT HURTS! I developed a bump on my head, had chicken-pox like bumps on the left side of my body. The worst thing is that when I developed this, I called the doctor to schedule an appointment because the pain was unbearable, the secretary scheduled me for a month later!

Anyways.. Here is the info from AAD.ORG
*snip*

You don't have to EVER HAVE HAD chicken pox to get shingles-any kind of herpes simplex (I,II,etc) such as simple frequent cold sores can be an indication of someone possibly developing shingles later on in life-But there are TONS of reasons why a person could get themselves a bad case of shingles..I've seen bad cases of shingles present themselves during times of severe stress..kind of like nature's way of telling a body to
chill out.Also,chickenpox are a usual child hood disease per the AMA standards,policies and procedures manuals and nothing to freak over unless you are an adult or older teen when you get them..I think you better chill out yourself before you have another outbreak. If I went by all the mumbo jumbo that medical online sights toss into diagnosis's-then I'd surely have been dead years ago...sometimes-the worst sounding things are really the simplest to cure. Oh yeh-what the online sights don't say alot about is that shingles will always follow the nerve paths closest to the skin-hence the reason people get shingles 80% of the time somewhere on their heads or along the path of the ribs starting in the back (usually somewhere near the underarm and traveling along the nerve paths to the front of the body to the chest-sorry you had to go through it-I hear it hurts like hell.

**NuTs62** · 03-23-2002, 05:11 PM

I know shingles/herpes zoster goes right along the nerve. Thats what happened to me. From my head along my neck and even down to around my legs. I was able to see family friends who were doctors, and they were able to prescribe medicine for me. I don't believe everything I read online, but in some cases its true. And the things I posted is fairly accurate in describing what I had felt. I'm not stressing out over this so

Just wanted to give people the heads up =P

**Nija** · 03-23-2002, 05:14 PM

whoa.... I had shingles once... but we got rid of them when we
ripped out the old roof....

**oblongmelon** · 03-23-2002, 05:14 PM

good makings for excessive worry though... you were one of the unlucky ones for sure...but it's like saying that every one who gets a tooth pulled will end up with a dry socket sooner or later.

**oblongmelon** · 03-23-2002, 05:15 PM

Originally posted by Nija
whoa.... I had shingles once... but we got rid of them when we
ripped out the old roof....

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa you are bad.

**NuTs62** · 03-23-2002, 05:19 PM

Originally posted by oblongmelon
good makings for excessive worry though... you were one of the unlucky ones for sure...but it's like saying that every one who gets a tooth pulled will end up with a dry socket sooner or later.

nah, not every one.. like the site said.. bout 20% =P

**Nija** · 03-23-2002, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by oblongmelon

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa you are bad.

yeah... someone should spank me....

**oblongmelon** · 03-23-2002, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by Nija

yeah... someone should spank me....

I'm sure you can handle the "spanking" all by your lonesome. :tongue:

**Nija** · 03-23-2002, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by oblongmelon

I'm sure you can handle the "spanking" all by your lonesome. :tongue:

yes... yes i could... but will you at least be a doll and hold the camera?

**oblongmelon** · 03-23-2002, 05:42 PM

Sorry Hun, my hands are going to be on OTHER meat tonight-I have meatballs to make.If you like I can film those for you..it may give you some inspiration.. But *g* thanks for the offer-

**Nija** · 03-23-2002, 05:45 PM

well as long as your going to slapping your salami.. just go a head and think about me, and that's all i need

actually.. I need pants..... *begins looking around*

**oblongmelon** · 03-23-2002, 05:47 PM

Originally posted by Nija

well as long as your going to slapping your salami.. just go a head and think about me, and that's all i need

actually.. I need pants..... *begins looking around*

Salami? In meatballs? WtH? you need a lesson in dealing with meat.