Chicken-pox

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the Varicella zoster virus. It is characterized by itchy red blisters that appear all over the body. A person becomes contagious 1 to 2 days before their blisters appear. They remain contagious until all the blisters have crusted over.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of chickenpox are:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell
• Rash

The rash appears as red spots first, which then develop into blisters filled with fluid. These blisters may burst and form crusts.

Transmission

Chickenpox is transmitted from person to person by directly touching the blisters, saliva or mucus of an infected person. It can also be spread through the air by coughing and sneezing.

Treatment

There is no cure for chickenpox, but treatment can help ease symptoms. Over-the-counter medicines can help with fever and itching. In severe cases, antiviral medicines may be prescribed by a doctor.

Prevention

The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccine. This vaccine is very safe and effective at preventing the disease. Most people who get the vaccine will not get chickenpox. If a vaccinated person does get chickenpox, it is usually a very mild case.

Complications

Serious complications from chickenpox can occur, but they are rare. They include pneumonia, infection or swelling of the brain, and bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues in children including Group A streptococcal infections.

See also

• Shingles
• Herpes zoster
• Varicella vaccine