Chicken Pox & Measles
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness. It causes a rash of red, itchy spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters, which eventually drop off. Some children have only a few spots, while others can have sports covering their entire body. These are most likely to appear on the face, ears and scalp, under the arms, on the chest, tummy and on the arms and legs.
What are the causes?
Chickenpox is caused by a virus. It is infectious from one to two days before the rash starts, until all the blisters have crusted over. To prevent spreading the infection, Public Health England advises to keep children off nursery/school until five days after the onset of the rash.
What are the signs
& symptoms?
Your child will probably feel pretty miserable and irritable while they have it. They may have a fever for the first few days and the spots can be incredibly itchy,
How is it normally diagnosed & treated
Paracetamol can help relieve fever and calamine lotion or cooling gels help ease itching.
Chickenpox usually gets better on its own. However, some children can become more seriously ill and need to see a doctor.
Contact your GP straight
away if:
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Blisters become infected
-
Chest pain or difficulty breathing
Measles
Measles is a very infectious, viral illness which, in rare cases, can be fatal. One in five children with measles experience complications such as ear infections, diarrhoea and vomiting, pneumonia, meningitis and eye disorders.
Symptoms develop around 10 days after you are infected and can include:
-
Cold-like symptoms
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Red eyes and sensitivity to light
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A fever
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Greyish white spots in the mouth and throat
After a few days, a red-brown spotty rash appears. Starting behind the ears it then spreads around the head and neck before spreading to the rest of the body. If there are no complications symptoms usually disappear within 7-10 days.
Contact your GP if you suspect that you or your child may have measles
Help to make your child comfortable
-
Close the curtains/dim lights to help reduce light sensitivity
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Use damp cotton wool to clean eyes
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Give sugar-free paracetamol or ibuprofen
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Ensure they drink lots.
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There is no treatment for measles. Vaccination is the only way of preventing it, so make sure your child has their MMR vaccination. Speak to your health visitor.
