| Definition of Varicella (Chicken Pox) | | | | skin-to-skin contact and via respiratory droplets (for |
| Varicella, otherwise known as chicken pox, is a | | | | example, coughing, sneezing) from the infected |
| generalized infection caused by the varicella zoster | | | | individual |
| virus. It is an extremely contagious disease that is | | | | Chicken Pox Symptoms |
| characterized by a blistery rash. It occurs most | | | | Low grade fever, a mild headache and weakness |
| frequently in children, between the ages of five and | | | | Chicken pox usually begins with a low grade fever, a |
| eight. Less than 20 percent of all cases in the U.S. | | | | mild headache and a feeling of weakness. |
| affect people over the age of 15. Chicken pox is | | | | Rash appears on the upper chest or back |
| transmitted so easily that almost everyone gets the | | | | Fever |
| disease. | | | | Abdominal pain or loss of appetite |
| Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness caused by | | | | Mild headache |
| primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV). It | | | | Symptoms tend to appear 14 to 16 days after the initial |
| generally begins with conjunctival and catarrhal | | | | exposure but can occur any time from 10 days up to |
| symptoms and then characteristic spots appearing in | | | | 21 days after contact with the virus. Chickenpox is |
| two or three waves, mainly on the body and head | | | | characterized by one to two days of mild fever up to |
| rather than the hands and becoming itchy raw | | | | 102 degrees F, general weakness, and a rash, often |
| pockmarks, small open sores which heal mostly | | | | the first sign of the disease |
| without scarring. | | | | It's caused by a virus that's spread from person to |
| Chickenpox is very common in children, and it tends to | | | | person in droplets. Infection starts with a fever and |
| only cause mild illness (for more information see | | | | about 2 days later the rash begins, usually on your |
| Related topics). Once you have had chickenpox, you | | | | back, first as red flat areas |
| usually become immune to it for life, although on rare | | | | Treatment of Varicella (Chicken Pox) |
| occasions people can catch it again. | | | | Cut the fingernails or use gloves to prevent skin |
| Causes of Chicken Pox | | | | damage from intense scratching. When lesions occur |
| In a typical scenario, a young child is covered in pox | | | | in the mouth, gargling with salt water may provide |
| and out of school for a week. The first half of the | | | | comfort. Drink cold fluids, and avoid hot, spicy and |
| week the child feels miserable from intense itching; the | | | | acidic foods (orange juice). |
| second half from boredom. Since the introduction of | | | | Most people develop lifetime immunity to chickenpox |
| the chickenpox vaccine, classic chickenpox is much | | | | after the first occurrence and never experience it |
| less common. | | | | again. But the virus can sometimes resurface later in |
| Chickenpox is extremely contagious, and can be | | | | life as shingles (zoster). The current aim in the U.S. and |
| spread by direct contact, droplet transmission, and | | | | many other countries is to achieve universal (or nearly |
| airborne transmission. Even those with mild illness after | | | | universal) immunization of children with the chickenpox |
| the vaccine may be contagious. | | | | vaccine. |
| When someone becomes infected, the pox usually | | | | Complications do develop, your doctor will determine |
| appear 10 to 21 days later. People become contagious | | | | the appropriate treatment. Treatment for skin |
| 1 to 2 days before breaking out with pox. They remain | | | | infections and pneumonia may be with antibiotics. |
| contagious while uncrusted blisters are present. | | | | Treatment for encephalitis is usually with antiviral drugs. |
| A person who has chickenpox can transmit the virus | | | | Hospitalization may be necessary. |
| for up to 48 hours before the telltale rash appears and | | | | Some doctors also give antiviral medicines to people in |
| remains contagious until all spots crust over. | | | | the same household who subsequently come down |
| The Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox. | | | | with chickenpox. Because of their increased exposure, |
| The disease is highly contagious -- over 90% of | | | | they would normally experience a more severe case |
| nonimmune individuals will develop chickenpox following | | | | of chickenpox. |
| exposure. VZV is communicable by both direct | | | | |