Children who have never had chicken pox can be vaccinated at 12 months and 4 to 6 years of age. Adolescents and adults who have never had chickenpox can also get the vaccine. The vaccine has proven very effective in preventing severe chickenpox. The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend that all children be vaccinated for chickenpox.
Many states now require vaccination prior to entry into preschool or public schools.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease that usually occurs during childhood. By adulthood, more than 90 percent of Americans have had chickenpox.
The disease is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Transmission occurs from person-to-person by direct contact or through the air by coughing or sneezing.
Until 1995, chickenpox infection was a common occurrence, and almost everyone had been infected by the time he or she reached adulthood. However, the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine in 1995 has caused a decline in the incidence of chickenpox in all ages, particularly in ages one through four years. The varicella vaccine can help prevent this disease, and two doses of the vaccine are recommended for children, adolescents, and adults.
Symptoms are usually mild among children, but may be life-threatening to adults and people of any age with impaired immune systems. The following are the most common symptoms of chickenpox. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
The initial symptoms of chickenpox may resemble other infections. Once the skin rash and blisters occur, it is usually obvious to a doctor that this is a case of chickenpox. If a person who has been vaccinated against the disease is exposed, then he may get a milder illness with a less severe rash and mild or no fever. Always consult your doctor for diagnosis.
Chickenpox is spread by exposure to the saliva or other respiratory secretions of an infected person. It can also be spread by being exposed to the fluid from the blistering rash. Once exposed, the incubation period is typically 14 to 16 days, but it may take as few as 10 and as many as 21 days for the chickenpox to develop. Chickenpox is contagious for one to two days before the appearance of the rash and until the blisters have all dried and become scabs. The blisters usually dry and become scabs within four to five days of the onset of the rash. Children should stay home and away from other children until all of the blisters have scabbed over.
Family members who have never had chickenpox have a 90 percent chance of becoming infected when another family member in the household is infected.
The rash of chickenpox is unique and therefore the diagnosis can usually be made on the appearance of the rash and a history of exposure.
Specific treatment for chickenpox will be determined by your doctor based on:
Treatment for chickenpox may include:
Children should not scratch the blisters because it could lead to secondary bacterial infections. Keep fingernails short to decrease the likelihood of scratching.
Most people who have had chickenpox will be immune to the disease for the rest of their lives. However, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissue and may reactivate, resulting in herpes zoster (shingles) later in life. Very rarely a second case of chickenpox does occur. Blood tests can confirm immunity to chickenpox in people who are unsure if they have had the disease.
Complications can occur from chickenpox. Those most susceptible to severe cases of chickenpox are adults and people with impaired immune systems. Complications may include:
Click here to view the
Online Resources of Infectious Diseases