Chickenpox: A Complete Guide to Treatment and Care in Hong Kong | Medication, Care, and Prevention at a Glance

Hello everyone, today I'd like to discuss chickenpox , a communicable disease that many people contract as children but still carries a high risk for certain groups. According to the Hong Kong Department of Health, chickenpox is a notifiable infectious disease in Hong Kong, with cases occurring year-round, but more frequently in late winter and early spring. While chickenpox is generally mild in children, it can cause serious complications in pregnant women, newborns, and those with weakened immune systems.

The editor has consulted information from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HA), the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US CDC, and compiled a super detailed treatment and care package to let everyone know how to deal with chickenpox and the prevention measures in Hong Kong.

---

What is chickenpox?

• Causative agent : Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)
• Transmission route : droplets, air, direct contact with chickenpox blister fluid
• Incubation period : 10–21 days, average about 14 days
• Contagious period : 1–2 days before rash appears until all blisters have scabbed over

---

Common symptoms (Hong Kong Department of Health information)

• Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite
• The rash begins on the face, scalp, and trunk and spreads to the limbs
• The rash is erythema → papule → vesicle → pustule → scab
• Itching all over the body
• Sometimes sore throat and headache

---

High-risk groups

• Infants (especially those under 12 months old)
• Pregnant women (infection can affect the fetus)
• People with weakened immunity (cancer chemotherapy patients, those taking immunosuppressants for a long time)
• Adults who have not been infected or vaccinated

---

Principles of Chickenpox Treatment in Hong Kong

Chickenpox is a viral infection that most healthy children can recover from on their own. Treatment is mainly symptomatic , while high-risk or severe cases require antiviral drugs. The goals are:

1. Relieve symptoms (reduce fever, relieve itching)
2. Prevent bacterial infection caused by scratching the skin
3. Reduce the risk of complications

---

1. General symptomatic treatment

Reduce fever

• Paracetamol : Safe and commonly used (dose based on weight)
• Avoid aspirin : Use in children may cause Reye's syndrome

Anti-itching

• Wear loose cotton clothing
• Shower with warm water or oatmeal bath powder
• Applying topical anti-itch lotions (such as calamine lotion)

Keep your skin clean

• Reduce scratching and trim nails
• Use disinfectant ointment to prevent infection when scratching blisters

---

2. Antiviral treatment (Clinical practice in Hong Kong)

Commonly used drugs

• Acyclovir
• Valacyclovir
• Famciclovir

Applicable situations

• Adults (especially within 48 hours of onset)
• High-risk children (immunocompromised, chronic skin diseases, lung diseases)
• Patients with severe or complicated conditions (such as pneumonia, encephalitis)
• Infection in pregnant women (needs evaluation by obstetricians, gynecologists, and infectious disease specialists)

💡 Hong Kong public hospitals will decide whether to use antiviral drugs based on the condition and patient background; private medical care can start medication more quickly, but a doctor's prescription is required.

---

3. Prevent complications

Common complications include:

• Bacterial skin infection (from scratching blisters)
• pneumonia
• encephalitis
• Hepatitis (immunocompromised individuals)

If you experience difficulty breathing, persistent high fever, confusion, severe headache, etc., you should go to the hospital immediately.

---

Chickenpox Prevention in Hong Kong

Vaccination

• Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Schedule : Since 2014, the Department of Health has provided two doses of varicella vaccine to all infants (the first dose at 12 months of age and the second dose at Primary 1).
• Those who have not been infected and vaccinated can get a booster shot (especially those at high risk)
• Some private medical centers offer combined vaccines (MMRV, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella)

Post-exposure prophylaxis

• Vaccination within 72 hours of exposure can reduce the severity of the disease
• High-risk individuals may consider receiving VZIG (herpes zoster immune globulin) after exposure.

---

Treatment Process in Hong Kong (Public vs Private Healthcare)

---

Home Care Tips (Editor’s Note)

• People should stay home until all blisters have crusted over (usually about 7 days).
• Isolate from vulnerable groups (pregnant women, infants, and people with weakened immune systems)
• Wash hands frequently and keep indoor air circulating
• Personal items such as towels and bed sheets should be washed separately
• If other people in your household have not been infected or vaccinated, you should consult your doctor about whether you need preventive vaccinations.

---

Editor's warm summary

While chickenpox is a mild illness in most healthy children, it can have serious consequences for high-risk groups. In Hong Kong, treatment primarily focuses on symptomatic management, with antiviral medications available for high-risk patients. Vaccination is the most effective preventative measure, especially for previously uninfected adults and those in high-risk groups. We remind everyone that chickenpox is highly contagious. Once diagnosed, strict isolation is essential, and prompt medical attention and treatment of symptoms are essential to avoid complications.

---

This article is for reference only and does not constitute any medical advice. The source is referenced from major medical articles