Why is it called chickenpox? Some say the rash it causes makes people look like they’ve been pecked by chickens
Name
Chickenpox aka varicella
Transmission
- A highly contagious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is in the family of herpes viruses
- It spreads from person to person via infected droplets from sneezing or coughing, direct contact with infected patients, or indirect contact with contaminated items
- Patients are usually contagious from a few days before onset of the rash until the rash has crusted over
- Most cases occur before age 10 but adults can be infected and it’s usually quite severe in adulthood
Geography
Worldwide
Incubation Period
10 – 21 days
Signs and Symptoms
- Itchy, blister-like rash (usually on stomach, back, face, and scalp)
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
Diagnosis
Usually diagnosed based on the telltale rash. Laboratory blood tests or culture of lesion samples are sometimes done to confirm the diagnosis
Treatment
Treatment is based on symptoms:
- Calamine lotion, oatmeal baths, and antihistamines may relieve itching
- Acetominophen can reduce fever
- Several antiviral medications can reduce the severity if given early
Prognosis
- It usually goes away within 7-10 days in children but the disease can last longer in adults
- The disease can be fatal, especially in newborns, adults, and people with weak or compromised immune systems
- Complications include lung inflammation, brain swelling, pneumonia, sepsis, and invasive body infections
- The virus remains inactive in the body’s nerve cells and if reactivated later in life it can cause shingles (a painful skin rash)
Prevention: What Can You Do?
Ensure you and your loved ones get the chickenpox vaccine
Chickenpox In the News
- Chickenpox springs nasty winter surprise
- Couple’s heartbreak after son, 2, dies from sepsis following chickenpox diagnosis
Sources:
http://www.who.int/ith/diseases/varicella/en/
https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/index.html
