Causes The disease occurs in epidemics affecting especially children under the age of ten years. It is due to the varicella zoster virus, and the condition is an extremely infectious one from child to child. Although an attack confers life-long immunity, the virus may lie dormant and manifest itself in adult life as HERPES ZOSTER or shingles.
Symptoms There is an incubation period of 14–21 days after infection, and then the child becomes feverish or has a slight shivering, or may feel more severely ill with vomiting and pains in the back and legs. Almost at the same time, an eruption consisting of red pimples which quickly change into vesicles ?lled with clear ?uid appears on the back and chest, sometimes about the forehead, and less frequently on the limbs. These vesicles appear over several days and during the second day may show a change of their contents to turbid, purulent ?uid. Within a day or two they burst, or, at all events, shrivel up and become covered with brownish crusts. The small crusts have all dried up and fallen o? in little more than a week and recovery is almost always complete.
Treatment The fever can be reduced with paracetamol and the itching soothed with CALAMINE lotion. If the child has an immune disorder, is suffering from a major complication such as pneumonia, or is very unwell, an antiviral drug (aciclovir) can be used. It is likely to be e?ective only at an early stage. A vaccine is available in many parts of the world but is not used in the UK; the argument against its use is that it may delay chickenpox until adult life when the disease tends to be much more severe.... chickenpox
Habitat: Waste places, roadsides.
Features ? Stem weak, straggling, freely branched; line of white hairs along one side only, changing direction at each pair of leaves. Leaves small, ovate, sessile above, flat stalks lower. Flowers white, very small, petals deeply cleft, singly on axils of upper leaves. Taste slightly salty.Part used ? Herb.Action: Demulcent, emollient, pectoral.
Inflammation of the respiratory organs and internal membranes generally. One ounce of herb in 1 1/2 pints of water simmered down to 1 pint. Dose, wineglassful every two or three hours. Used externally as a poultice for inflamed surfaces, boils, burns and skin eruptions.... chickweedSymptoms: Slight fever with temperature rising 39°-40° (102°-104°), sore throat, heavy nasal discharge, rashes come in crops soon to progress to milky white blisters which shrivel into scabs. Irritability. The virus may lie latent in the ganglia of sensory and somatic nerves for many years to manifest later as shingles.
Object of the therapy is to reduce the temperature and promote a healthy outcropping of the rash.
Alternatives. Ensure adequate fluid intake. Antihistamine herbs: Lobelia, Goldenseal root, Parsley root, Juniper. Mucous membranes: spots on: Goldenseal, Myrrh. Ears: spots in: Instil oil Mullein or contents of Vitamin E capsule.
Teas: Boneset, Elderflowers and Peppermint, Marigold, Chamomile.
Tea. Formula. Equal parts: Red Clover, Boneset, Yarrow.
Maria Treben’s tea. Marigold 3; Nettles 1; Yarrow 1. Prepare: all teas, one heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. 1 cup freely.
Tinctures. Alternatives. (1) Combine, Echinacea 2; Poke root 1; Goldenseal 1. (2) Combine, Wild Indigo 2; Marigold 1; Myrrh quarter; Dose: as many drops as the age of the child, in a little water. (Adults: One 5ml teaspoon) Dose: 3-4 times daily.
Gargle and Mouthwash, where spots appear on mucous membranes: 5 drops Tincture Myrrh or Goldenseal (or combined), in warm water.
Topical. Aloe Vera. Evening Primrose oil. Oil from Vitamin E capsule. Wash with distilled extract Witch Hazel, Lavender water, or Chamomile tea.
Cayenne. Pinch Cayenne in teas, or few drops Tincture Capsicum in tinctures heightens action.
Note: For restlessness add, equal parts, Skullcap or Chamomile. For severe itching, wash with potato water or Chamomile tea.
Diet. Commence 3-day fast, with herb teas and fruit juices only. Vitamins A and C. Carrot juice.
High Temperature. If serious: tinctures – Pleurisy root 1; Lobelia 1; Catnep 2; Valerian 1. One 5ml teaspoon every 2 hours. Reduced to thrice daily when temperature abates.
Patients suffer less itching if kept cool. ... chicken pox