Chicken Pox: Epidemiologic Triangle, Role Of The Community Health
EPIDEMIOLOGY PAPER 1
EPIDEMIOLOGY PAPER 2
CHICKEN POX
Welcome to the chicken pox party! In 1970’s, 1980’s, and early 1990’s, chicken pox parties were an actual gathering. Parents understanding that their child would inevitably “get” the chicken pox wanted this process to be done quickly and a party of contagious kids was one way of getting this done. Now, chicken pox is something children do not have to “get”. The purpose of this paper is to discuss chicken pox in detail, explain the epidemiologic triangle, role of the community health nurse, and resources pertaining to chicken pox.
CAUSES
Chicken pox is extremely contagious virus that can affect anyone who has not had chicken pox before or has …show more content…
Those considered high risk is infants, immunosuppressed elderly, and pregnant women. Infants, elderly, and people who are immunosuppressed are more susceptible to develop pneumonia, dehydration, and other infections, as their immune systems are weaker. Mother and unborn baby can have serious complications if exposed to chickenpox if mother is not immune. 10-20% of pregnant women who get chickenpox develop pneumonia, with the chance of death as high as 40%(). If a pregnant woman gets chickenpox while in the first or early second trimester of pregnancy, there is a small chance (0.4 – 2.0%) that the baby could be born with birth defects known as "congenital varicella syndrome." These babies may suffer from low birth weight and have scarring of the skin and problems with arms, legs, brain, and eyes. Treatments focus on treating the symptoms rather than the chicken pox virus. Those at higher risk for complications can take antiviral medication including Acyclovir. It can only be administered with 24 hours of the emergence of the rash. Acyclovir reduces the severity of symptoms, but does not cure the disease(). Immunoglobin treatment can also be administered as well. This treatment is a solution containing VZIG (Varicella-zoster immunoglobulin), which is taken from healthy individuals that have had chicken pox in the past who contain the …show more content…
In recent years, people considered at poverty level or below the poverty level, have received lower insurance rates or free vaccine coverage for their children. It was found that children in poor income families had lower rates of vaccines than families above the poverty level. This had helped increase the rate of vaccinations across the country. For instance, The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program offers vaccines at no cost for eligible children through VFC-enrolled(). Lack of resources in communities or in rural areas can also have impact. Travel expense and travel time to see a physician can become a hardship on families, especially families who live in rural areas. Other social determinates is the lack of knowledge about vaccines. Recently, many well-educated families have chosen to not vaccinate their children due to the fear of the impact of the vaccine. In false news reports, autism was supposedly linked to vaccines. Many families have chosen to not vaccinate children due to such media reports, although there is no factual statistics to support claims. Other families may not vaccinate due to lack of knowledge of importance and what vaccine can help
EPIDEMIOLOGY PAPER 2
CHICKEN POX
Welcome to the chicken pox party! In 1970’s, 1980’s, and early 1990’s, chicken pox parties were an actual gathering. Parents understanding that their child would inevitably “get” the chicken pox wanted this process to be done quickly and a party of contagious kids was one way of getting this done. Now, chicken pox is something children do not have to “get”. The purpose of this paper is to discuss chicken pox in detail, explain the epidemiologic triangle, role of the community health nurse, and resources pertaining to chicken pox.
CAUSES
Chicken pox is extremely contagious virus that can affect anyone who has not had chicken pox before or has …show more content…
Those considered high risk is infants, immunosuppressed elderly, and pregnant women. Infants, elderly, and people who are immunosuppressed are more susceptible to develop pneumonia, dehydration, and other infections, as their immune systems are weaker. Mother and unborn baby can have serious complications if exposed to chickenpox if mother is not immune. 10-20% of pregnant women who get chickenpox develop pneumonia, with the chance of death as high as 40%(). If a pregnant woman gets chickenpox while in the first or early second trimester of pregnancy, there is a small chance (0.4 – 2.0%) that the baby could be born with birth defects known as "congenital varicella syndrome." These babies may suffer from low birth weight and have scarring of the skin and problems with arms, legs, brain, and eyes. Treatments focus on treating the symptoms rather than the chicken pox virus. Those at higher risk for complications can take antiviral medication including Acyclovir. It can only be administered with 24 hours of the emergence of the rash. Acyclovir reduces the severity of symptoms, but does not cure the disease(). Immunoglobin treatment can also be administered as well. This treatment is a solution containing VZIG (Varicella-zoster immunoglobulin), which is taken from healthy individuals that have had chicken pox in the past who contain the …show more content…
In recent years, people considered at poverty level or below the poverty level, have received lower insurance rates or free vaccine coverage for their children. It was found that children in poor income families had lower rates of vaccines than families above the poverty level. This had helped increase the rate of vaccinations across the country. For instance, The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program offers vaccines at no cost for eligible children through VFC-enrolled(). Lack of resources in communities or in rural areas can also have impact. Travel expense and travel time to see a physician can become a hardship on families, especially families who live in rural areas. Other social determinates is the lack of knowledge about vaccines. Recently, many well-educated families have chosen to not vaccinate their children due to the fear of the impact of the vaccine. In false news reports, autism was supposedly linked to vaccines. Many families have chosen to not vaccinate children due to such media reports, although there is no factual statistics to support claims. Other families may not vaccinate due to lack of knowledge of importance and what vaccine can help