After your body fights off the infection, the virus stays hidden in your nerve cells and can reactivate later in life as shingles
Chickenpox – also known as varicella-zoster is a highly contagious virus that produces a red rash that blisters and then scabs over. It spreads through bodily fluids and bodily contact with an infected person or by breathing in droplets from their sneezes or coughs. While most of the cases of chickenpox are mild - newborns, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illness.
Before the availability of the first vaccine against chickenpox in 1995, almost everyone got chickenpox as a toddler or young child. But since the late 1990s, the rate of chickenpox has declined by nearly 90 per cent. According to statistics, today most children receive a vaccine against chickenpox as part of their routine immunization schedule.
What are the signs and symptoms of chickenpox?
According to experts, chickenpox symptoms progress through many stages – most developing over a week or ten days. Doctors say you may experience flu-like symptoms within a week of exposure, however, early symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- High fever
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Abdominal pain
- Rashes and blisters all over the body
- Red bumps
- Scabs
What leads to chickenpox?
While the varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox – you can catch it by touching an infected person's rash, breathing in respiratory droplets from their coughs or sneezes, or touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching your mouth or eyes.
After your body can fight off the infection, the virus stays hidden in your nerve cells and can reactivate later in life as shingles—a painful rash that typically develops on one side of the body.
According to doctors, a vaccine for shingles, known as Shingrix is available for those over 50 years of age. Doctors recommend taking the vaccine in two doses, 2–6 months apart, and it is 80-90 per cent effective.
How can you prevent chickenpox?
Doctors say the best way to avoid and prevent getting the virus is to get vaccinated. Two complete doses help your body fight off chickenpox and lower the risk of spreading it to others. However, even though varicella is highly effective, you can still get a mild form of the illness despite getting the shots. The rash is typically minor, with no blisters, but is still contagious.
You must follow a few precautions to avoid catching or spreading the virus when caring for someone with chickenpox:
- Practice good handwashing
- Do not touch the rash or blisters without gloves
- Disinfect surfaces that you commonly touch
- Avoid sharing personal items like towels, utensils, and bedding
- Wear a mask
What are the complications caused by Chickenpox?
Even though it is not common, chickenpox can cause grave complications like:
- Arthritis
- Skin infections
- Brain problems
- Dehydration
- Pneumonia
- Reye’s syndrome
- Sepsis
- Thrombocytopenia
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