Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Off due to chicken pox

I'm back to office after 7 days. I was down with chicken pox for the last 7-9 days. I was off from work for a continuous 7 days and thats the first time in the last 3 years.

Chicken pox(CP) is an air borne disease and its absolutely non-seasonal. There are several myths surrouding CP. Traditional myths and regional myths for the attack but the technical reason is a virus named varicella-zoster. I wonder why scientists name viruses or diseases in so tounge twisting way.

CP generally shows up many visible changes in your body for easy identification. Itchy scalp, small insect bite sized blisters growing up to red lesion all over the body. The blisters start generally from scalp, face, trunk and then crawl to lower body gradually if the intensity of CP is more. You will feel a deep urge to scratch the blisters. A big NO to scratching. Scratching leaves you with scars once the lesions are healed after CP. Sometimes these scars may be life time. You may not be able to get rid of these scars at all. So, NO scratching at all. Resist. A logical suggestion is to trim your nails so that the scratching and the impact can be minimal if any. The blisters grow in to lesions and then form up to a crusty layer. Cautious not to prick or remove that crusty layer until it fall off itself after complete healing.

The whole thing may last for 7-20 days depending on the intensity of the attack. The sooner you identify the disease the sooner you can be treated and the sooner you can start healing and the sooner you will be fit again. 

Food: Though there is no restriction on diet but spicy, oily masala foods are better to be avoided. Simple meal will not harm you. Meal with as little salt as possible. Generally spices, salt slows up the healing of blisters.

Medication: No standard medication is mandated for CP, as it will take its course no matter what. But its prefered to take the minimum medication to speed up the healing of the blisters/lesions, avoid any fever, avoid body pains which are quite common problems turning up during CP. Neem leaves or twigs are generally considered as best medicines for CP. I donno the technicalities of it.

Clean & Tidy: Doctors suggest to avoid bath for the first 4-5 days when the seriousity of the disease is at its peak. And even traditionally its suggested to avoid bath for the first 5 days and thats then disease is to expected to take a downtrend after the 5th day and that was true in my case. Just keep yourself clean with fresh clothes, tidy and dry surroundings. Stay at home. Avoid general contact with people as much as possible as CP is highly contagious.

And dats it!!!

I was badly bored though with a TV, laptop, internet, books, lots of movies, ipod. I always thought it was possible to stay at home for long durations provided all the above. But, i was wrong.

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