Treatment of chickenpox in children under 12

• In children of under 12, the disease is usually benign and takes its course in one ten days. Keep them at home if they are not feeling well (See the Places of Interest section), allow them to get plenty of sleep, and make sure they do not get infected by scratching the blisters. If infection does occur, it may require antibiotics.
• To reduce the fever : paracetamol but not aspirin (ASA or acetylsalicylic acid), which can cause Reye’s syndrome in children with chickenpox.
• To relieve itching : lukewarm water baths followed by an application of calamine; in some cases, the doctor may also prescribe antihistamines. Applying cold water compresses to the lesions also helps relieve itching.

  Notes. If the child appears unwell or the fever is high, see a doctor.

• For newborns and children with weakened immune systems, the doctor usually prescribes a antiviral drug.

In adults and children over 12 years old

• In adults and children over 12 years of age, symptoms may be more pronounced, especially fever. To alleviate them and speed healing, it may be necessary to prescribe a antiviral : aciclovir (Zovirax® in France and Canada, Apo-Acyclovir® in Canada, etc.), famciclovir (Famvir®) or valaciclovir (Valtrex®) in Canada. The faster this medication is taken, the more effective it is. It should be taken within 24 hours of the appearance of the blisters. In France, only intravenous Zovirax® has an indication in complicated chickenpox or in immunocompromised subjects, newborns, pregnant women, etc.

People at risk

For some people, chickenpox is more likely to cause complications. People at risk who have been exposed to the chickenpox virus (through contact with a contagious person or direct contact with chickenpox or shingles lesions) may benefit from treatment with antiviral drugs or a antibody injection contre varicella zoster virus, VarIg (VariZIG® in Canada), which helps quickly fight infection if it occurs.

People with a risk are considered to be at risk. weakened immune system without a history of chickenpox, pregnant women without a history of chickenpox who are exposed to the virus, some premature babies and newborns whose mothers have contracted chickenpox in the 5 days before or 2 days after giving birth.