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- Chicken Pox (Varicella)
- SYMPTOMS. Signs of moderate fever, headache and malaise show during the
- third week after exposure. Small red spots usually develop on the back and
- chest a day or two later. After several hours, the spots enlarge and form
- blisters. The blisters are filled with clear fluid that turns yellow after
- another day or two. Scabs or crusts then form over the blisters. They will
- peel off in 5 to 20 days. In the meantime there may be severe itching.
- CAUSES. The same virus that produce shingles cause chicken pox. Two weeks or
- a little more is required for incubation and the period of contagion is
- about 2 weeks.
- TREATMENT. No vaccine is available at this time.
- .Treatment is usually needed only to control the symptoms.
- .Wet compresses will help control the itching.
- .Bathe the child frequently in soap and water.
- .Keep the child's nails clipped and his hands clean.