Chicken Pox or varicella is a mild highly contagious disease caused by a virus, it is characterized by a poxlike rash and patients with chicken pox are considered to be contagious for seven days after the rash appeared, so it is best to keep them isolated from other people during this period. The incubation period for chicken pox ranges from 11 to 20 days, with an average of 14 days. Although patients with chicken pox usually complain of itching, they are otherwise fairly well except that their temperature usually ranges from 100° to 102°F (38° - 39°C). Chicken Pox is more common in children between the ages of 5 and 9, and less than 4% of cases are reported to occur in individuals more than 15 years of age. A single attack of chicken pox usually provides a lifelong immunity against the disease.

Cause: The virus that produces chicken pox appears to be identical with the virus (varicella-zoster virus) that causes herpes zoster (an inflammatory disease of the nerves, also known as shingles), which produces small, blisterlike skin eruptions. Because of this doctors believe that chicken pox and herpes zoster are actually two different diseases caused by the same virus. The disease is spread through the air or by direct contact with an infected person.

Symptoms: Early symptoms include a mild fever and within several hours or days, a small blisterlike spots (known as vesicles) begins to appear on the skin. The spots first appear on the scalp, face and trunk, and in some cases the spots may also appear inside the mouth, nose, ear, vagina and rectum. After 12 to 24 hours, the spots become itchy, and fluid-filled bumps will continue to appear for the next 2 to 5 days. After the blisters form, scabs develop and fall off. In most cases, the lesions disappear within 5 to 20 days. Scarring does not usually develop unless the blisters have been scratched.

Treatment:

• Drinking guava is recommended to cease bacterial infection from the inside and to help with the healing process of chicken pox.
• Washing the skin using green tea or guava tea will prevent itching and bacterial infection. Guava tea and green tea has strong antibacterial affect and antioxidant that will hasten the healing process.
• Taking a bath with 4 to 8 ounces of baking soda or 1/2 cup of vinegar to 1-2 liters of water (to be use for final wash) will reduce itchiness.
• Itching of the skin may be relieved by applying baby powder with zinc oxide or cream with propolis and aloe vera.
• If the spots become infected and serious infections occur, antibiotics may be needed. Some physicians advise that aspirin be avoided, because of a statistical association with Reye's syndrome.

Prevention: Chicken pox vaccine is the best way to prevent chicken pox. Although no vaccine is 100% effective in preventing any disease, if a vaccinated person does develop chicken pox, it usually just a mild case that usually last for a few days.

Complications: Chicken Pox complications are extremely rare, although it is generally higher among infants less than one year of age and adults. Pregnant women and those with suppressed immune system are at higher risk of serious complications.