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What Are Some Interesting Facts About Chicken Pox?

The varicella-zoster virus causes the highly infectious disease commonly known as chickenpox. While chickenpox is most commonly associated with childhood, adults can also acquire chickenpox, particularly if they never had the disease as a child or had a particularly mild case. Additionally, the varicella-zoster virus can reactivate in adults who previously contracted chickenpox, resulting in shingles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the disease had annual cycles before the introduction of the vaccine, and peaked in the spring.

  1. Transmission

    • Chickenpox can spread through direct contact with an infected person, but direct contact is not necessary to contract the disease. Because chickenpox is airborne, it is enough to simply be in the same room with an infected person, particularly if that person is coughing or sneezing. According to the CDC, chickenpox is contagious from two days before the rash's development until all blisters have scabbed over.

    Symptoms

    • Chickenpox is characterized by an itchy, blistery rash that covers the entire body. It can also cause fever and fatigue. The rash may include as many as 500 blisters, and will usually last from five to seven days.

    Prognosis

    • In healthy children and young adults, chickenpox is usually not severe. The disease is more serious in adults, who typically contract it from their children. The CDC reports that before the emergence of a vaccine, 100 to 150 people died each year as a result of chickenpox and an additional 10,500 people were hospitalized. Chickenpox infection also increases the likelihood of other serious complications, including bacterial infections and pneumonia.

    Prevention

    • In 2006, a two-dose vaccine was recommended for all children and adults at high-risk, including those who have never contracted the disease or who work in education or health care. The vaccine is also recommended to prevent shingles in adults who previously contracted chickenpox. Although some who are vaccinated still get chickenpox, symptoms are typically minor with a rash of only 50 or so red bumps.

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