Chicken Pox - What You Should Know About This Infectious Disease
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Health Fitness -> subcategory Disease Illness.
Chicken Pox: Essential Information About This Infectious Disease
Overview
Chicken Pox, commonly known as Varicella simplex, is a childhood infectious disease that most children experience and recover from.Cause and Spread
The disease is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, beginning with a moderate fever followed by itchy spots. These spots appear in waves, mainly on the body and head, becoming small open sores that typically heal without scars.Chicken Pox has a two-week incubation period and is highly contagious, spreading through air transmission two days before symptoms appear. It quickly spreads in schools and other close-contact environments. Once infected, individuals usually gain lifelong immunity, though re-infection can occur in those with weakened immune systems. Adults contracting Chicken Pox tend to experience more severe symptoms, prompting some parents to expose their children early.
Risks and Complications
While generally mild, Chicken Pox can be serious, especially for pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems, potentially leading to fatal varicella pneumonia. In the U.S., 55% of Chicken Pox-related deaths occur in those over 20. Pregnant women who are not immune should contact their doctor immediately if exposed, as the virus can harm the fetus.Prevention and Treatment
A vaccine has been available since 1995 and is required in some countries for school admission. Effective treatments like aciclovir help manage the disease in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals. Calamine lotion can ease itching, while paracetamol reduces fever. Aspirin is not recommended for children with Chicken Pox due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.Transmission and Symptoms
Chicken Pox spreads through direct contact or airborne transmission from an infected person's cough or sneeze. Touching a Chicken Pox blister also spreads the virus. Contagion begins 1-2 days before the rash appears and lasts until all blisters crust over, typically taking 5-10 days. Symptoms develop 10-21 days after exposure.The blisters start as small red spots, developing into ‘dew drop on a rose petal’ lesions. These become cloudy and break, leaving a crust. Although individual lesions heal in about 7 days, new lesions may continue to appear for several days.
Vaccination
Japan and the United States routinely vaccinate against Chicken Pox, significantly reducing cases from 4 million annually to 400,000 by 2005. The vaccine is very safe, with fever or rash in only 5% of recipients and no deaths reported as of May 2006, despite over 40 million doses administered.In the U.S., 41 states require vaccination for school attendance. The UK has not yet adopted routine vaccination. There is ongoing debate about whether to include it in standard immunization schedules, with some arguing against it.
Immunity and Shingles
Childhood Chicken Pox often provides lifelong immunity. Historically, pox parties were common to ensure children contracted it early. Adult exposure to infected children can boost immunity, reducing shingles risk.This article may be reprinted unchanged, with the resource box included.
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