The incidence of varicella virus has been reduced drastically due to awareness of vaccination in many countries. Chickenpox is a type of contagious rash spreading from one person to the other by direct skin contact. It is caused by varicella virus and it largely targets infants and young children. Chickenpox is characterized by itchy rash and blisters all over the skin which automatically disappears in 4-5 days. Chickenpox remains contagious even before the formation of initial rashes and the virus can spread to others until the blisters are present in the body.
Earlier there was epidemic of chickenpox and after the discovery of varicella vaccine in March 1995 things are under control. All the children are to be vaccinated 1-1.5 years of age (first dose) and those who are susceptible can be given a second shot of vaccine before completing 13 years of age. Taking chickenpox vaccine is the only way to prevent this disease completely. Chickenpox is a viral infection causing red colored itchy rash on the skin and it attacks mostly young children. People with spared immunity are likely to get this illness even during adulthood.
Symptoms :
Itchy rash with small red blisters all over the body is the symptom of chickenpox. The blisters or lesions initially appear on the face and very shortly it develops on the hands, truck and even on the lower part of the body. For some people chickenpox can cause additional symptoms like mild fever, loss of appetite and tiredness.
Stages :
Chickenpox has 3 distinct stages as described below:
- In the first stage raised red bumps called papules develop all over the skin. These papules emit pus like substance making the disease highly contagious.
- In the second stage, raised bumps get filled with fluid slightly growing in size which would subsequently break open to leak the fluid inside.
- In the third or final stage, after the fluid gets discharged from the blisters it forms crusts and scabs which might take several days to heal completely.
The entire episode may lasts from 7-10 days or even 2 weeks. A person becomes vulnerable to spread the virus once he/she develops rash on the body until the scabs cover the blisters. The virus can live up to 48 hours on the body of infected person. In severe cases the lesions or blisters can spread even on the eyes, throat and anus region. It may also cause bacterial infection making things worse.