Chicken Pox Infections

A chickenpox infection is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which causes the skin to break out in numerous rashes and small, red dots. Chickenpox commonly affects children, but it can also affect adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the chickenpox infection can take 10 to 21 days to develop after the virus is contracted.

Transmission

• Chickenpox infections are spread through direct contact with an infected person. It is also spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Appearance

• Chickenpox infections start out as raised red rashes that resembles insect bites. As the infection progresses, it turns into liquid-filled blisters that easily break open and crust.

Symptoms

• According to the Mayo Clinic, other symptoms of a chickenpox infection include a fever, mild headache, irritability, dry cough, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and feeling generally ill. It also causes intense itching.

Treatment

• Chickenpox is treated with antihistamines to relieve itching. For people at a higher risk for developing complications, antiviral drugs such as acyclovir or immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) are prescribed to help decrease the severity of the infection.

Prevention

• Chickenpox infections are prevented with the chickenpox vaccine, which reduces transmission. It also reduces its severity of the infection, if it develops.

Complications

• The chickenpox infection can cause severe complications, including bacterial infections, pneumonia and brain infections.