What it means
A viral infection most common in children who have not been vaccinated. It causes an itchy rash of spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters and then crust, appearing in crops, with fever and tiredness. The virus stays in the body and can come back later in life as shingles (herpes zoster). Two doses of varicella vaccine are given in childhood.
For the nurse
Use airborne and contact precautions until all lesions have crusted over. Staff who are not immune should not care for the client. Teach families to keep nails short, use cool baths for itching and not to give aspirin to children (Reye syndrome risk).
At a glance
| Spanish | varicela |
|---|---|
| Also written | chickenpox, chicken pox |
Related terms
vaccine
A product that trains the immune system to protect the body against a specific disease.
precaution
A step taken ahead of time to prevent harm, such as the infection-control practices used with every client.
immunization
The process of making a person protected against a disease, most often by giving a vaccine.
rash
An area of skin that has changed in color or texture, often red, bumpy, scaly or itchy.
vesicle
A small, raised blister on the skin filled with clear fluid, less than 1 cm across.