Chickenpox (Shingles) Treatment, Vaccination And Prevention

What is Varicella?

Chickenpox/Varicella is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The main symptoms of Chickenpox are fever, inflamed and blistered rash. It is a highly contagious disease and infants and older age people are more prone to the disease. Though, it is not a life-threatening disease but may be a problematic issue both for the kids as well as the parents.

Causes of Shingles

Chickenpox is a viral disease, caused by varicella-zoster virus where blistered rash and fever are common among the patients. One of the main characteristics of the virus is that it remains dormant in the body and can be reactivated and cause shingles(herpes).

Symptoms of Chickenpox

• Blistered
• Acute itchy rash
• Fever
• Chill
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Is chickenpox contagious?

Yes, Chickenpox is a contagious disease. Its contagiousness continues before the rash and till it becomes dry.

How can you contact Chickenpox?

• Since the disease is caused by a virus, so, it easily spread from one person to another by air droplets when the infected person coughs or sneezes in the nearby area.
• Direct contact also caused its expansion.
• If the pregnant mother is having Chickenpox, there is a possibility that the newborn may also suffered from it.

Who is the most susceptible of the Chickenpox virus?

• Young children
• An adult who hasn’t contacted by this disease earlier may face this infection later.
• Teachers, doctors, nurse, and who is spending time with kids suffering from Chickenpox

Complications of Chickenpox

• Skin lesion
• Lungs infection
• Pneumonia
• Brain complications like infections and swelling (encephalitis)

Prevention

• The infected person should be kept in an isolated place to reduce the transmission of the virus.
• Vaccination is one of the best treatments to check chickenpox.

Chickenpox vaccination

• Chickenpox can be a major health threat.
• So, pro-active measures like vaccination in children would be most effective.
• Vaccination of children and susceptible adults and adolescents can reduce the disease burden and transmission of chickenpox.
• Vaccination can be offered to individuals more than one year of age, who have not suffered previously from chickenpox.