A British mother recently posted images of her son Tommy on social media, which serves as a warning to other parents not to give their child ibuprofen to relieve symptoms of chicken pox.
As specified in a report from New York Post, the mom did, gave her son ibuprofen, and "the consequences were gruesome" and nearly fatal.
She said she brought her son to the hospital when his temperature rose, and he could not keep down fluids or food.
On her Facebook, the mother wrote a male nurse told her to help with the temperature; the child could have ibuprofen and Calpol together.
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Ibuprofen Against Chickenpox
She questioned the recommendation, and the nurse told the mother it was an "old wives' tale" and that she should not believe everything she saw on Google.
Additionally, the nurse also said he has never seen any ibuprofen reaction to chickenpox in his time working in a hospital.
Describing what happened, a few hours passed while they waited for the doctors to give them a 24-hour pass, and she noticed a mark on her son's belly.
The mother showed the nurse and was told it was nothing and could be another mark of chicken pox forming. They left the hospital and went back home.
Side Effects
Also, according to Verity, by 6 am the following day, Tommy had developed what could only be described as a "bruise on his belly," although by 8 am, the said bruise was recurring.
She continued and called her doctor, who saw them immediately. The latter confirmed her son was infected and drew around the marks to determine if it spread. True enough, by 4 pm, the mark spread. His whole belly was swollen and turned black and blue.
The child was then given an intense course of antibiotics and fluids, and the doctors said that Tommy needed not to be given ibuprofen. If he had had another single dose, it could have been deadly.
Why Ibuprophen is Dangerous to Use Against Chickenpox
A Passport Health said chickenpox is highly infectious, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were roughly 350,000 cases each year as of 2011.
It is a viral disease, meaning there is no cure once a person has it, although symptoms can be managed. That is why it is essential to know how to manage the symptoms and not allow them to worsen adequately.
In addition, for most people all over the world, it means using medication like ibuprofen for one. While the drug may alleviate fever and pain for a person with chickenpox, it is essential, too, to note the potential side effects of taking it.
NSAIDs like ibuprofen can impact cardiovascular, renal, GI, and respiratory symptoms. Because of that, simply by taking them, one runs the risk of stroke and GI bleeding.
Safe Treatment and Prevention
There are many ways to help manage the symptoms of chickenpox that do not involve NSAIDs. For example, an individual uses acetaminophen, which does not contain aspirin.
Some common ways to manage the pain, itching, and fever include: taking a cool bath with baking soda or oatmeal, cutting fingernails to lessen scabbing when itching takes place and drinking water rather than sugary and caffeinated beverages, among others.
The most effective way to prevent chickenpox is to vaccinate, which medical reports have shown to be 90 percent effective. Not only can the vaccine preempt the occurrence of chickenpox, but it also alleviates risks and shingles in the future.
Vaccine against chickenpox comes in two separate doses. For children, the first dose needs to be taken at age 12 months and the next at age four.
Related information about ibuprofen against chickenpox is shown on The Morning's YouTube Video Below:
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