health

Diagnosis Doctors usually recognize chicken pox or shingles by their
distinctive rashes. Laboratory tests on the fluid in blisters from either disease
can diagnose VZV infection. Blood tests for antibodies against VZV
can determine whether a person is immune to chicken pox.
Treatment In general, the goal of chicken-pox treatment is to ease the
discomfort caused by itchy blisters. Cool compresses or lukewarm baths
in water sprinkled with uncooked oatmeal or baking soda can soothe the
skin and relieve itching. Over-the-counter antihistamines* can also help
control itching. Children with chicken pox should not be given aspirin
for fever due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome*. A non-aspirin fever reducer
such as acetaminophen* is recommended instead. A child’s fingernails
should be cut short, because scratching the blisters can lead to secondary
skin infections caused by bacteria*. Children usually recover from
chicken pox within one to two weeks. Adults may take longer to recover.
Adults and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for
complications of chicken pox and may be treated with antiviral medications
for a few days to control the infection.
If shingles is recognized soon after the rash first appears, it can be
treated with oral* antiviral medication, which may shorten the course
of the disease and minimize pain. Blisters from shingles typically clear
up after two to three weeks, but the nerve pain can linger for weeks or
months, sometimes even years.