HEALTH NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 12 April 1928, Page 7

HEALTH NOTES

CIUCKI-NTOX

HHilll.V INKKI.TIOI'S DISKASI

(CoalriljulfJ by ilu* I )i*:> u t inviit u! ilo.jithi

Clnd:onpo>; !■> •> lughlv mJVolijiis J.; I iso, ;>£ world wuli* occurrence. While I mamiy children art* attacked, J llOiKlt* till- t'-lltll VIM!'. I:. i > C tract it. Extensive epidemics are rare; periodically limited outbreaks arise, but more usually cases occur here and there throughout the whole year, the occurrence not being confined to any special season of the year. One attack affords complete protection, for as a rule chiekenpox does not recur Ihe disease is usually spread directly from one person to another, or indirectly through ;.r----ti. les or clothing freshly soiled by an infected pet son. The vims ts contain,it if, 11..* contents of the vesicle (pock) un.t i j caddy communic able. The exact nature' of the causal agent is unknown

Tlit* incubation period is usually fourteen days, lr.lt 111;i\ extend up to three weeks. Tin l appearance of iln* rash marks the first day of the disease, showille up usually on the trunk, though it may lie first ’noticed on tin* face. The lining of the throat and mouth, especiullv the latter, may he affected early with vesicles which rupture, and spread infection before the rash on the body is noticed. 1 lie rash is most marked on the trunk, especially the hack, also on the face and in the scalp. It tends to spread from above downwards, involving next the limbs, but more in the upper than lower portions. There are hut few vesicles on the paints of the hands or soles of the feet. ’ New crops of vesicles form where others already exist, several crops on successive drylys, so that at auv one area vesicles will he lound in all'stages of development.

COURSE OK ATTACK First cf :iil ;ii»i *»•:«i- rose-red, slightly raised points, front tlit; size o! :i pinhead to tlint of ;i pea, so elnsely crowded in plates that they run together. A few heal without further development, hut most- of them become vesicular, about one-third of an inch across. From a red spot a mature vesicle develops m one (lav or less, being filled til first with a clear', and later with a slightly cloudy yellowish fluid. Owing to its itchinoss tin* rash is often infected by scratching or rubbing through the clothing; then the lesions become larger and more ;nHained, and may become septic. If not disturbed by scratching, the vesicle dries up in a short- time. After a few days the crust falls off, leaving a slightly reddened skin, which soon becomes normal.

The temperature rises ms the eruption appeals, remaining slightly elevated while crops of vesicles are appearing. Sometimes there is no constitutional disturbance at all, .and the. disease is usually it mild one. very rarely tatal. While a straight course is the common finding, ehiekenpox is not always a harmless infection. Sepsis trom scratching is tile commonest- complication, but bronchitis, pneumonia, or inflammation of the kidneys may occasionally develop. A disease called .Herpes Zoster (which is accompanied by pain and eruption ot vesicles along the course of certain nerves) seems to he connected in some way with ehiekenpox, the latter developing sometimes after an attack of the former. In other cases herpes lias given rise in contacts to characteristic ehiekenpox. Tl;K.\T.\Hv\T AND i’RKCADTIONS

I'iilieuts should lie put to lieil at the (list sign of the rush, and kept in bed while the rash lasts. A light diet is advisable while the temperature is raised. This few days’ rest in lied is usunllv sufficient treatment. The itching, if severe, is frequently troublesome, and may be relieved bv some simple remedy such as an antiseptic (lusting powder. Sometimes it may be ne«essary to splint the arms lightlv to prevent scratching and risk of' infection. Prevention depends on isolation and disinfection at the bedside. Children with chicken pox should he isolated at least two weens, and until everv scab has fallen oil scalp and body Children who are contacts, but have not vet iind the disease, should be kept, from' school for three weeks from the date when they were iast exposed to infection.