As you would already have known, I have contracted chicken pox and have been home bound since the beginning of august. Below would be a recollection of different phases of chicken pox I've experienced, in the hopes that this would be useful when in the future someone asks me of how it feels like getting chicken pox at this age or for anyone who wants to know how it is when they read my blog.
Day 0-2 (The Beginning)
August 8
We were out for prayers at a temple in PJ Oldtown in the morning, when everything was fine. While at the temple, we were asked by her father to join him for dinner. We then went to Sunway pyramid where I have promised to accompany my cousin to the tattoo parlor, I was beginning to feel a little tired at this time, I always do when shopping in narrow and crowded areas. We got home by mid afternoon, and I had a short nap before dinner. By the time I woke up for dinner, I was feeling a little under the weather, slight fever, nevertheless, we went for dinner.
August 9
I was at work as usual, with a slight fever. Nothing serious, it was still bearable and suspect of nothing. After lunch, I had a meeting together with the entire department. Half way into the meeting I had to go to the toilet as I realize that there was something near my night, so I went and take a look at it. I realize a vesicle, which seem to have fluid in it - I broke the vesicle that's how I found out. By the end of the day, I asked around to find out if it could be chicken pox and Angela our marketing coordinator confirmed that it is. So the next thing I did was to look for a doctor however, he did not confirm that it is, due to the fact that there wasn't enough symptoms although everyone who saw it could confirm that it is chicken pox.
August 10
The doctor gave me a one day medical leave, and asked me to continue to observe. I rested at home, and realized that there were more vesicles which developed, mostly on my upper back and some on my scalp. And in the evening I went to another doctor in the hope that he could tell me exactly what it is. Still he could not diagnose and said it could be chicken pox or measles and that it is viral. He gave me a day leave for Wednesday and asked me to continue to observe. He also said if nothing happened, I could go back to work as I informed that I have an important meeting on Thursday. I have already contacted office by then that I did not get any confirmation from either doctor and that I would try to return to work on Thursday. My boss has adviced me to postpone all meetings to a later date in view that I may have to be on long leave.
Day 3-7
August 11
I finally woke up with many vesicle all around my body and some on my face, a sight which I could easily confirm that I have chicken pox. Nevertheless, I went to the doctor for some advice and medication and I was given antivirals, painkillers, pills for itchiness, and a 12 days leave. And adviced that if there are pus on the lesions then I have to go back to the clinic as then I would need antibiotics.
August 12-13
High fever has started to fully kick in, with sore throat, full blown chickenpox. I felt tired the whole day, with loss of appetite (I only had two-three bites of anything and that's about it). By the next day I was pretty much dehydrated, I had at least 7 ulcers in my mouth, including one on my tonsil.
I could contain the itchiness but while lying down, it was difficult to move around and almost I possible to not move around. Putting pressure on those vesicles have proven to be painful and disturbing to my sleep.
Facial grooming is impossible and even washing with a cleanser is difficult to do. Even taking a bath had to be done carefully as not to break any of the vesicles. My body was covered with a thick layer of calamine as I was adviced that it is the best solution to prevent itchiness. I have heard from some sources that there are other better solutions to soothe itchiness and help to clear up the pox faster, unfortunately I do not know what exactly it is... When I found out I was already recovering.
August 14
My second visit to the doctor since I've been confirmed with chicken pox. The second visit was to get antibiotics as by now pus have appeared on many of the vesicles. My fever, sore throat and pain have not subsided yet and only getting worse. Usually it gets worse at night time and during day time it is more bearable. After a week at carmen's place, I got back to Melaka as my parents would be home to look after of me. I've been given sleeping pills to help with my difficulty to sleep.
Day 8
August 15
Same situation as the day before, no appetite in eating, vesicles are all still active, facial hair continues to go out of hand. Looking at the mirror was a pain, the days could go easier without any reflections at all. A very nice dinner was prepared by mom but I could only stomach a few bites only. I remember that night was the match between Lin Dan and Dato' LCW. The match was so intense I think that was when my fever went off. As usual I could only sleep with the help of the sleeping pills
Day 9
August 16
I've recovered from my fever, but left with a little bit of sore throat, my appetite have slowly increased too. Despite the doctor saying there are no restrictions in food intake, my parents insisted I follow some of the taboos. Dinner was ok, my food intake has been more normal, and on that night I was able to sleep without sleeping pills.
Day 10-13
August 17-20
From this day onwards, I'm on a slow recovery, my sore throat is gone, some of the vesicles have started to scab. Those that are covered with clothes recovers slower than it should, while at parts which are exposed to air recovered first. By day 13, most of it are scabs already, with some drying up a little. Pus are still seen at some vesicles at this point
At this point I have started to go out of home, but only at times or places where there are not much contact with strangers, and ensuring that the people I meet have already gotten chicken pox.
On day 13 as well, I have consulted the doctor to see if it was ok to meet my friend who has travelled to Malaysia from Sweden. He said it was ok, as the gathering will not take long, and if they have already gotten chicken pox then it should be fine, but he has warned that I should take a longer medical leave until all scabs have fallen off. Although what I read from the internet is that it is safe to go out once the scabs have dried, but there are also some friends and family who advice against going out until all scabs have fallen off like what the doctor told.
Day 14
August 21
Gathering with my friend, Most scabs on my face have fallen and on my hands too. Most of the scabs are left in the chest, stomach and back area. Most scabs fall during sleep as I move around In my sleep the friction against the bed causes the scabs to peel. Lesions have fully scabbed and dried.
Day 15-16
August 22
Usual day at home, I've fully recovered, and only waiting for the scabs to fall off, by now 70% of the scabs are already gone, leaving marks on my skin, which I hope do not turn Into scars. To help prevent scarring I have applied vitamin e oil, as well as starting to use cell regeneration creams on my face.
Scabs are only left around the sides of my body and the lower back. Other areas are clear of scabs
August 23
My last day of leave, and my visit to the doctor, despite going to the same clinic, the doctor I met on saturday was a different doctor, perhaps the partner advising me to take longer leave. On this day, the doctor had a look at the lesion and gave clearance to return to work and every other activity which I was prevented from doing. 90% of the scabs have fallen off - doctor have confirmed that I can no longer infect anybody even with some scabs present.
-end-
It took me a good 2 weeks plus for recovery, which does not include the time where all scabs fall off. I still watch what I at, ensuring thati do not have "poisonous" food like seafood, beans, soy products, chicken, egg.
I could say that getting chicken pox at this age can be considered as one of the worse and most agonizing medical condition one could have ever experience. My advice would be if you haven't got it when you're in your 20s or 30s you should get the vaccination which could suppress the sickness.
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Location:Jalan PJU 8/1,Petaling Jaya,Malaysia
