Also known as varicella, chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It is most often recognized by a rash of itchy red blisters that appear on the face, neck, body, arms, and legs.
Flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, body aches, and headache. These symptoms typically start a day or two before a rash appears.
Red spots appear on the face and chest, eventually spreading over the entire body. The red spots develop into itchy, fluid-filled blisters.
Blisters weep, become sores, form crusts, and heal. As some of the blisters form crusts, it’s not unusual for more red spots to appear, for a total of 250 to 500 blisters.
Don't give aspirin to anyone with chickenpox because it can lead to a serious condition called Reye's syndrome. And don't treat a high fever without consulting your doctor.
When a patient is inflicted with the Smallpox/chickenpox, its believed they got the blessings of Vasoorimala as the disease happens when the sweat drop of lord Shiva touches the body. And the disease being cured when Ghantakaran licks the sores (symbolically by spreading neem leaves over the body), thus purifying the body. Thus the legend of Kali blessing the devotee by Smallpox/Chickenpox is too popular in Kerala and hence the disease is never seen in a negative light worth for panicking.
Legend has it that Goddess Sheetla carries a silver broomstick in right hand, a water pot in left hand, wears a red saree and a garland of neem leaves and rides around the villages in North India on a donkey (ass), inflicting people with the pox – small pox, chicken pox etc.
A Tinge Of Rationality
It is difficult to actually believe that Chicken Pox has anything to do with Sheetla Mata’s anger, but a delve into the symbolism of this Goddess is somewhat rational. The internet says:
1. The silver broomstick in right hand symbolizes spreading cleanliness.
2. Water pot in left hand symbolizes recovering victims with cool water from river Ganges.
3. The red saree resembles fear and protection.
4. The garland of neem leaves considered as a remedy for infection and the donkey is the symbol of determination or stubbornness of the disease.
The first and last points seem logical.
I think ancient Hindu doctors were expert and badass, they knew that people have a tendency to do exactly those things that they have been prescribed not to do so they came up with an idea of Sheetla Mata. They thought that fear of God will make them do those things and indeed thousands of years after, in this country, the fear of God is the driving force behind most of the beliefs and actions.
Chickenpox and shingles
If you’ve had chickenpox, then you still have the varicella-zoster virus in your nerve cells. It never goes away and it can lie dormant for years. Even though you are now most likely immune to reinfection from the chickenpox virus, you’re at risk of another disease: shingles.
Shingles is a painful viral infection that is characterized by a blistering skin rash that forms in a band in a specific location of the body. It most often appears on the left or right side of your torso, sometimes around one eye or on one side of the face or neck.
Shingles is most likely to appear in older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Two shingles vaccines — Zostavax and Shingrix — are available and many doctors recommend them for their patients who have had chickenpox and are age 50 and older.
Interestingly nowhere did I read that Inlaws are not supposed to visit patient.
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