What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox is a disease is caused by a virus (varicella zoster virus, varicella, or VZV) that results in a blister-like rash with intense itching, tiredness, and fever. In normal individuals without immune system problems, chickenpox usually will last about five to 10 days and then resolve. Before vaccination was available, about 4 million people (mainly children) were infected each year. Once infected, the virus can remain dormant in nerve cells and after many years (in adults about 50 years old or older) the virus can be reactivated to cause the condition known as zoster (shingles).
Is chickenpox contagious?
Chickenpox is highly contagious and easily passed from person to person by direct contact (saliva, kissing) and indirect contact with blister fluid that touches objects like toys or utensils. In addition, chickenpox can be transmitted by contaminated droplets produced during coughing and sneezing. For those individuals who develop zoster (shingles), the fluid formed in blisters that arise during the disease is also contagious for chickenpox.
Chickenpox is not contagious from humans to dogs or other pets; chickenpox is a disease mainly confined to humans.
How will someone know that he or she has chickenpox?
Although chickenpox is usually thought of as a childhood disease, anyone who has not been vaccinated or infected can get the disease. Even about 25%-30% of those vaccinated may still get a mild form of the disease if exposed. About one to two days before characteristic blisters develop, individuals usually have a high fever, headache, loss of appetite, and are somewhat lethargic. The rash that develops quickly produces fluid-filled blisters that usually appear first on the chest and face and then spread to the rest of the body. This is when chickenpox is usually clinically diagnosed; lab tests are seldom used to diagnose the disease. Blisters usually last about one week before all of them form scabs.
How is chickenpox transmitted?
Chickenpox is spread easily through the air in contaminated droplets produced by coughing and sneezing. Contact with secretions (mucus, blister fluid, for example) either directly by touching secretions or indirectly (if the secretions contaminate toys, utensils, and other objects) can result in spread of chickenpox. In addition, blister fluid produced in individuals who have shingles also can spread varicella virus, the cause of chickenpox, to anyone who is susceptible (unvaccinated individuals).
How will someone know when he or she is cured of chickenpox?
Once a person acquires the chickenpox infection, there is no cure because in most people, the virus remains in a dormant form within the nerve cells. These dormant viruses are responsible for the disease shingles (zoster).
However, the closest thing to a cure is the chickenpox vaccine that can render the vaccinated person immune to this virus for many years. If the immune system in an individual weakens, it is possible for the individual who was vaccinated in childhood to develop shingles, but even shingles may be prevented by giving older adults a vaccine specifically designed to prevent shingles.
A variation of the answer to knowing when someone is "cured" of chickenpox would be to ask when a person with chickenpox or shingles is no longer contagious. Individuals are contagious during the incubation period (one to two days before symptoms and signs develop) and then for about an additional seven to 10 days (when all of the blisters have crusted over). For shingles, the disease becomes contagious when the blisters begin to form and becomes noncontagious after all the blisters have developed crusts.
When should someone contact a medical provider about chickenpox?
Most children with chickenpox do well and recover on their own without specific treatment. However, a medical caregiver may need to be contacted if the symptoms are severe or if someone is at high risk for complications. For example, pregnant women, others who have weakened immune systems, and very young infants are at risk for complications. Complications of chickenpox may include the following:
- Dehydration
- Pneumonia
- Bone and joint infections
- Toxic shock syndrome and/or sepsis
- Meningitis
- Secondary skin infections
- Bone and/or joint infections
- Bleeding problems
Individuals with shingles may need to contact medical caregivers for treatment and pain control; if shingles appears on the face especially near the eye, a medical caregiver and/or ophthalmologist should be contacted immediately.
QUESTION
The varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox is a herpes virus. See AnswerTop Is Chickenpox Contagious Related Articles
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Chickenpox (Varicella)
Chickenpox (chicken pox) is a contagious childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms have an incubation period of 14 to 16 days and include a couple days of mild fever, weakness, and red, raised rash that progresses to blisters that eventually burst and crust over. Complications include bacterial infection of the open sores, scarring, encephalitis, nerve palsies, and Reye's syndrome.
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How is chickenpox related to shingles? Take the Chickenpox Quiz to assess your IQ of this itchy, blistering childhood skin disease.
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Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation (both mental and physical). The causes of fatigue are generally related to a variety of conditions or diseases, for example, anemia, mono, medications, sleep problems, cancer, anxiety, heart disease, and drug abuse.Treatment of fatigue is generally directed toward the condition or disease that is causing the fatigue.
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Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching including infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.lidocaine transdermal
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The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the varicella zoster virus. Other shingles symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and body aches. Treatment focuses on pain management and shortening the duration of the illness with antiviral medications.
How Can You Tell the Difference Between Chickenpox and Shingles?
Both chickenpox and shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The difference between chickenpox and shingles is that chickenpox usually occurs first, and shingles are a result of a reactivation of chickenpox later on.valacyclovir
Valacyclovir (Valtrex) is an antiviral drug prescribed for the treatment of herpes viruses such as shingles, genital herpes, and cold sores. Side effects include abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and headache. Drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed before taking any medication.
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What Triggers a Shingles Outbreak?
Shingles occur when the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox, reactivates in the body, usually due to a weakened immune system. Learn about the symptoms of shingles and how you can treat them. The difference between chickenpox and shingles is that the first time you get infected with the varicella virus, you get chickenpox. Shingles is a condition you can develop if you've already had chickenpox. Learn about the differences between chickenpox and shingles and how these two diseases are connected.
Why Is It Bad for Adults to Get Chickenpox?
Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus. It's a highly contagious disease that used to be very common. Before the vaccine became available in the United States in 1995, about 90% of children got chickenpox by the age of 15.Why Is Shingles Worse Than Chickenpox?
Shingles, which is sometimes called herpes zoster, is an illness caused by the same virus that leads to chickenpox. Shingles is more serious than the common childhood illness.