Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the varicella virus. Most cases occur in children under age 15 but older children and adults can get it. It spreads very easily from one child to another.

Symptoms include an uncomfortable, itchy rash, fever and headache. The rash is like blisters and usually appears on the face, scalp or trunk. The disease is usually mild and lasts 5 to 10 days, but it sometimes causes serious problems. Adults and older children tend to get sicker from it. Do not give aspirin to anyone sick with chickenpox since the combination might cause Reye Syndrome.

Once you catch chickenpox, the virus usually stays in your body forever. You probably will not get chickenpox again, but the virus can cause shingles in adults. A chickenpox vaccine can help prevent most cases of chickenpox, or make it less severe if you do get it.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Chickenpox on Wikipedia

'''Chicken pox''', also spelled '''chickenpox''', is a common childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), also known as human herpes virus 3 (HHV-3), one of the eight Herpesviridae known to affect humans. It is characterized by a fever followed by itchy raw pox or open sores. The disease is rarely fatal: if it does cause death, it is usually from varicella pneumonia, which occurs more frequently in pregnant women. In the US, 55% of chicken pox deaths were in the over-20 age group. Chicken pox has a two week incubation period and is highly contagious by air transmission two days before symptoms appear. Therefore chicken pox spreads quickly through schools and other places of close contact. Once someone was infected with the disease, they usually develop an immunity and cannot get it again. As the disease is more severe if contracted by an adult, parents have been known to ensure that their children became infected before adulthood. Aspirin shouldn't be used during a chickenpox infection because it can increase the incidence of a potentially deadly condition called Reye's syndrome. Ibuprofen should not be taken either because it increases the risk of strep throat from secondary bacterial infections. Doctors advise that pregnant women who come into contact with chickenpox should contact their doctor immediately as the virus can cause serious problems for the fetus. Later in life, virus remaining in the nerves can develop into the painful disease, shingles, particularly in people with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly, and perhaps even sunburn. A chicken pox vaccine is now available, and is now required in some countries for children to be admitted into elementary school. In addition, effective medications (e.g., acyclovir) are available to treat chicken pox in healthy and immunocompromised ...   [ Read More ]

External Resources

Communicable Disease and Immunizations - Communicable disease information for HIV/AIDS, pertussis, influenza, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, chickenpox, and others.

Australian Herpes Management Forum - Topics include genital herpes, shingles, cold sores and chickenpox.

Dear Dr. Becky: Shingles: Description and Treatment - Shingles, known medically as herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same one that causes chickenpox in children.

Medinfo: Shingles (Herpes Zoster) - Easy to understand information for patients on shingles (Herpes Zoster), a painful, blistering rash caused by the chickenpox (varicella) virus which affects only a limited area of skin. Written by a UK general practitioner.

AHMF: Shingles - Essential facts and more detailed information about shingles (herpes zoster), chickenpox and post-herpetic neuralgia. Includes management guidelines for health workers. From Australian Herpes Management Forum.

Pediatric Oncall - Varicella Zoster Virus - Informational site offers details about VZV, such as what the clinical manifestations are, the complications of chickenpox, effects of the infection during pregnancy, and gives example of immunocompromised states.

CDC: Varicella Vaccine - Covers effectiveness, U.S. recommended immunization schedules, precautions for administration, and answers to clinicians' and patients' questions about the chickenpox vaccine.

Dr. Reddy's Office: Chickenpox - Overview of this common viral infection and vaccines.

Kidsource.com - Chickenpox - Information on the Chickenpox vaccine, ask questions in the forum and find other articles.

MEDLINEplus: Chickenpox - The National Institute of Health provides this directory of links to various sites and articles about chickenpox.

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