What to do to not catch chicken pox
To prevent the transmission of chickenpox from an infected person, to other people who are close by, you can take the vaccine, which is indicated to prevent the development of the disease or smooth out its symptoms, which in adults, are more intense and severe. The vaccine is offered by SUS and can be administered from the first year of age.
In addition to the vaccine, people who are in close contact with the infected person should take extra care, such as wearing gloves, avoiding proximity and washing their hands frequently.
Chickenpox is an infection caused by a virus, which can be transmitted from the time the symptoms start, until 10 days later, which is usually when the blisters start to disappear.
Caring for
To prevent transmission of the virus that causes chickenpox, the precautions that must be taken by people who are close to the infected person, such as parents, siblings, educators or health professionals, include:
- Avoid close contact with the person with chicken pox. For this, if it is a child, he can be cared for by a person who has already had chicken pox or, if he stays at home, the brothers should go out and be in the care of another family member;
- Wear gloves to treat chicken pox blisters on the child, as chicken pox is transmitted through direct contact with the wound fluid;
- Do not touch, scratch or burst chickenpox wounds;
- Wear a mask, because chicken pox is also caught by inhaling droplets of saliva, coughing or sneezing;
- Always keep your hands clean, washing them with soap or rubbing alcohol, several times a day;
- Avoid going to malls, buses or other closed spaces.
This care must be maintained until all the wounds of chicken pox are dry, which is when the disease is no longer contagious. During this time, the child should stay at home and not go to school and the adult should avoid going to work or, if possible, prefer teleworking, to avoid the transmission of the disease.
How to avoid transmission to pregnant women
For the pregnant woman not to get chickenpox from a child or spouse, she should avoid contact as much as possible or, preferably, stay at someone else's house. Alternatively, you can leave the child in the care of a relative, until the chicken pox wounds dry completely, as the vaccine cannot be administered during pregnancy.
It is very important that the pregnant woman does not get chicken pox, because the baby may be born with low weight or with malformations in the body. See the risks of catching chicken pox in pregnancy.
When to go to the doctor
People who are or have been close to the person infected with chicken pox should go to the doctor in the presence of symptoms, such as:
- High fever;
- Headache, ear or throat;
- Lack of appetite;
- Chicken pox blisters on the body.
See how the treatment for chicken pox is done.
