It’s summer: time to prevent Chicken pox

With summer on the horizon, the temperatures are soaring high, but the real worry is not over the heat but a large variety of diseases that can put a damper in your plans.

Due to a special type of virus, Varicella zoster - Chicken pox develops in the human beings particularly children mostly aged 12 and below.

Highly contagious, the virus spreads through air-borne particles, cough and sneeze droplets with major symptoms witnessed as high fever, headache, itchy pustules and fatigue. The primary step that needs to be taken to check the spread would be isolation of the patient.

Prevention is always considered better than cure. Here are some precautions one should take to avoid Chicken Pox in summer –

- Varicella Vaccination that protects against the virus who have never had the infection.

- Washing hands after visiting a common or crowded place.

- Summer special vegetables and fruits like watermelon, cucumber also helps to fight against the disease.

- The virus grows in wet areas so, summers should be protected with the water tanks and gardens being sprayed properly.

- Keep Distance with the patients who are affected with Chicken pox.

- Look for symptoms of chickenpox such as blister-like rashes on the body.

- Other symptoms include headaches, tiredness/fatigue, dehydration, loss of appetite and high fever.

Dos and Don’ts to follow when infected with Chicken pox –

- Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes and plenty of morning sunlight.

- Avoid Spicy food and meat; cool foods should be consumed like coconut water, fruit juices and seasonal fruits.

- Signs of poor balance and loss of coordination in children need to be looked out for symptoms of complications affecting the brain.

- Apply topical lotions or antihitamines on the rashes instead of itching which can cause severe skin infections.

- The skin can be moisturized with lotion as the itchiness increases with dry skin.

- To reduce skin infections and itchiness, neem leaves can be added or oatmeal can be soaked in the warm water before taking bath.

- Adequate rest boosts up the recovery process that will strengthen the immunity.