Because most babies receive chickenpox virus antibodies from their mothers, it is normal for children to not have the disease in their first year of life. But if a baby or an infant under two months of age is infected with chicken pox, the situation can be very dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. In this text, you will get to know the symptoms, causes of this disease, and ways to prevent it and treat it in children. What is chicken pox virus? Chicken pox is an infection caused by the zoster virus. Most children get chicken pox at some stage, children get this type of swelling up to the age of 10. During chicken pox, the immune system produces proteins called antibodies. These antibodies fight the virus and then provide lifelong protection against it (immunity). Therefore, it is unusual for a child to have chicken pox more than once in a lifetime. Read more => Intestinal obstruction in children Symptoms of chicken pox in children - high temperature (fever) - Feeling pain Headaches often start a day or more before the rash appears. - Spots appear in all parts of the body. They grow into small platelets and are itchy. They can be anywhere in the body. - Loss of appetite and nutritional problems in children Read more => Heart disease in children Causes of chicken pox in children Chicken pox is an infectious disease that occurs mostly in children and is caused by the varicella zoster virus. In the following, I will explain the causes of chicken pox in children: ### Varicella zoster virus Chicken pox is caused by a virus called varicella zoster. This virus is highly contagious and can easily be transmitted from one person to another. ### Direct contact with the affected person Children usually get this disease through direct contact with a person suffering from chicken pox. This contact can include touching the acne-prone skin or using shared items. ### Transfer by air The chickenpox virus can be transmitted to others through tiny droplets in the air that are spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This method of transmission is very common especially in closed environments such as schools and kindergartens. ### Transmission from mother to fetus If a mother contracts chicken pox during pregnancy, the virus can be transferred to the fetus through the placenta and cause serious problems for the baby. Weakness of the immune system Children with weak immune systems are more at risk of chicken pox. This includes children who have chronic illnesses or are receiving treatments that weaken the immune system. ### Lack of vaccination Children who have not received the chicken pox vaccine are at higher risk of contracting the disease. Chicken pox vaccine significantly reduces the risk of infection as well as the severity of the disease. ### Prevention and treatment - **Vaccination**: The most effective way to prevent chicken pox is vaccination. Chickenpox vaccine is usually given to children in two doses. - **Isolation of the affected person**: Children who have chicken pox should be separated from other children until the pimples are dry and scaly. - **Personal hygiene**: observing personal hygiene, frequent hand washing and using a tissue when coughing or sneezing can prevent the spread of the virus. ### Conclusion Due to the severity and contagiousness of chicken pox, the importance of vaccination and compliance with personal hygiene is very high. Also, knowing the signs and symptoms of this disease and going to the doctor if you see them, can help control and treat it more effectively. Risks and complications of chicken pox in children Children get chickenpox due to bacterial skin infection, pneumonia, or encephalitis. If your child has chickenpox, they may experience any of the following symptoms: - Illness is more than usual and malaise is more severe than usual. - After the first few days, he gets a fever. - Skin beads are close to his eyes. - The skin around the blisters is swollen. - The skin around the blisters is painful or very red. - If the child has a weak immune system due to chronic diseases such as leukemia or taking high doses of oral steroids (such as asthma), the infection may have serious complications. Some special precautions, such as chickenpox vaccination or varicella zoster immunoglobulin (a globulin containing antiviral antibodies), can be helpful for a short time after exposure to the virus. If your child's immune system is weak, it is necessary to consult a doctor even after seeing the initial symptoms of chicken pox or just by contacting an infected person. Adults who contract chickenpox usually experience severe illness and are at risk of irreversible complications such as bacterial pneumonia. If you are pregnant and have never had chicken pox, it is recommended to read the articles on chicken pox during pregnancy and consult with your doctor about preventive measures, what to do if you come into contact with the virus. Also, it's worth knowing that the same virus that causes chickenpox can later cause a permanent, painful skin rash called shingles. The virus remains in the body after chickenpox and may reappear years later in the form of shingles. This condition occurs in about one in 10 adults who have previously had chickenpox.