Chickenpox: What’s important?

Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus that is spread through direct contact with a person or air droplets. This virus causes an extremely itchy rash on the skin that produces fluid-filled blistered (Mayo Clinic, 2021). The chickenpox infection can be visible on your child’s skin 10 to 21 days after exposure and can lasts 5 to 10 days. Additional signs and symptoms to be aware of include; fever, headache, fatigue and a loss of appetite. Treatment of chickenpox in children includes comfort measures, medications and the varicella vaccine (Mayo Clinic, 2021).

After diagnosis, your doctor can prescribe medications to decrease the severity of symptoms such as presenting with a fever, followed by a rash. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS), such as Ibuprofen are often used for management of fever (Mayo Clinic, 2021). But are parents aware of the risks associated with this medication? Despite comfort measures, the chickenpox vaccine is the most beneficial way to prevent chickenpox. Experts estimate complete protection against chickenpox for 98% of people who receive both of the recommended doses (Mayo Clinic 2021). With tons of evidenced-based research, studies have found the vaccine to be safe for the body, but parents are still concerned with whether or not they should vaccinate their child.

Do parents know the harmful effects of NSAIDs?

In a study, parents were able to understand the use of NSAIDS to manage symptoms of Chickenpox, and the associated health risk that can develop with misuse of NSAIDS. This study questioned 20 parents of children who had been diagnosed with Chickenpox, to determine if they were aware of the health associated risk of NSAIDs (Hussain & Anwarulhaq, 2020). Data suggest that zero of the 20 selected parents were aware of any risks during chicken pox illness and parents were not aware that skin infections and necrotizing fasciitis were associated with the use of NSAIDs (Hussain & Anwarulhaq, 2020).

Parents Perception & Understanding of The Chickenpox Varicella Vaccine:

Data suggest that 74% of mothers believed that they will vaccinate their child to prevent diseases. Knowledge regarding vaccination was poor, given only 33% of mothers matched chicken pox with the varicella vaccine (Wu, et al., 2020). 70% of these women reported wanting to know more information about vaccinating their baby but only 18% reported actually receiving that education during prenatal care. Many concerns with vaccinating children come from low income families who do not qualify for healthcare (Wu, et al., 2020). Parents who lack information about vaccinations are more likely to have negative attitudes towards vaccinating their child (Wu, et al., 2020).

This study concluded positive reasons for vaccinating your child such as; preventing disease, having no past issues with vaccinations and having trust in their provider. Negative concerns included; being worried about death, fever and that the vaccine will not work (Wu, et al., 2020).

10-year efficacy of the Varicella Vaccine in young children:

References

Hussain, M. S., & Anwarulhaq, M. (2020). Parents’ perception and understanding of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory use in children with Chicken Pox infection and its associated risks. Middle East Journal of Family Medicine, 18(2), 6–11. https://doi.org/10.5742MEWFM.2020.93759

Mayo Clinic. (2021, May 8). Chickenpox – Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chickenpox/symptoms-causes/syc-20351282

The Lancet. (2019, February 11). Long-term protection for the prevention of varicella virus- containing vaccines [Video]. YouTube. https://youtube.com/watch?v=2s8uwifwiwc

Wu, A., Wisler-Sher, D., Griswold, K., Colson, E., Shapiro, E., Holmboe, E., & Benin, A. (2022). Postpartum Mothers’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Trust Regarding Vaccination. Maternal and Child Health Journal, Preprints, 1–8.