Chicken Pox

---

How is Chicken Pox spread?

      Chicken pox is caused by the varicella zoster virus and can be transmitted through the air by coughing, laughing or talking. The disease can also be contracted on contact with an infected surface.

Can it be prevented?

The vaccine can help reduce your chance of contracting chicken pox, but it will not guarantee that you will not get the disease. Infants should receive it between 12 and 18 months of age. If 13 years or older, the patient needs 2 doses 4-8 weeks apart. The vaccine should not be given to pregnant women, or if they had already received the vaccine, shouldn’t get pregnant until 1 month after receiving the vaccine. The patient should also consult a doctor if they have HIV/AIDS, are using steroids, suffer from cancer, are undergoing cancer treatment with x-rays, or if they have recently received a blood transfusion. The vaccine can also cause soreness or swelling, fever, mild rash, seizures, or any other allergic reactions. Pneumonia may also occur in extremely rare cases.

Is there a cure?

None that are known except time.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms include rash, itching, fever, and tiredness. Patients may also experience feelings of nausea, and may vomit. Luckily, this can be countered with the vaccine.      

Interesting Facts

About 12,000 people are hospitalized from this, and about 100 die in the U.S each year. Infants and adults are especially susceptible. Children ages 5-8 normally have milder forms of the disease.

Chicken pox was thought to be the same thing as smallpox until the end of the 19^th century.

Named because the red welts that appear were the same size as chickpeas, or because it occurred mostly in children and children were often called chickens.