Chickenpox on the rise in city

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 8

Cases of chickenpox are on the rise in the city. Doctors here receive two or three patients on an average every day. The chickenpox virus spreads fast and thrives in summer. The parents of children appearing for various exams dread the decease most as the infection period is almost 10 days.

“The government hospital is also receiving patients of chickenpox every day. However it has not reached threatening levels. We don’t prescribe vaccines as it is not mentioned in the national immunisation programme,” said Dr Rajinder Gulati, Head of Paediatric Department, Civil Hospital.

Chickenpox (varicella) is a viral infection that causes an itchy, blister-like rash. Chickenpox is highly contagious to people who haven’t had the disease, nor been vaccinated against it. Before routine chickenpox vaccination, virtually, all people have been infected by the time they reach adulthood, sometimes with serious complications. Today, the number of cases and hospitalisations has come down dramatically.

“Chickenpox infection usually lasts about five or 10 days. The rash is the telltale indication of chickenpox. Cases are coming up in the city but there is nothing to worry about and those infected are advised to stay isolated,” added Dr Ajit Singh Chawla, president of the Indian Medical Association.

Parents of the students are worried as mid-term exams are approaching. Many children, who have not been vaccinated, are getting vaccines.

A student of plus two at a local school, who has contracted chickenpox, said her practical exams were being conducted in the school but she was unable to take the exams and was really worried about her result.

BOX I

Symptoms before rash

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Headache

• Tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell

BOX II

How many shots of the vaccine are needed

The varicella vaccine is given in two doses. An infant should have the first shot in the age from 12 to 18 months. The second shot should be given at the age from four to six years. Older children and adults should have two shots with a gap of four or eight weeks.

BOX III

What a patient should eat

Oranges and other citrus fruits are excellent for the immune system. It is advisable to have one glass of orange juice daily. One important point to remember is that you should stay away from juices with additives. Natural fruit and vegetable juices are good for the patient. Fresh vegetables and raw fruit are recommended as well. Herbal teas such as cinnamon, basil and chamomile are good too. Other foods that will help are carrot, cashew nut, tofu, walnut, egg, ginger, garlic and beetroot. It is also advisable to consume raw organic fruits and vegetables. Foods which contain a lot of water are recommended as well since the body can easily digest such foods and process the nutrients in them. Cucumber, tomatoes, spinach, watermelon, kiwi, sprouts, etc, fall in this category of water-rich foods.

Foods to avoid

A patient of chickenpox should avoid dairy products, meat, bread or any other kind of heavy food that is difficult for the body to process. Stay away from processed and junk food as well. They have little or no nutritional value. Red meat and fried foods or other similarly prepared foods should also be avoided when following a diet to cure chickenpox. An unhealthy diet will not help the patient’s immune system to produce antibodies to fight the infection.