Chickenpox

What is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a contagious infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It affects kids and adults too. The signs of chickenpox is a super-itchy skin rash with red blisters. Over the course, the blisters pop and leaks. They crust and scab before finally healing.Symptoms start 10 to 21 days after contact with virus victim. People mostly recover in 2 weeks.

Chickenpox in general is mild in children. In severe cases, the blisters spread to your nose, mouth, eyes, genitals.

How does one get Chickenpox?

Virus can get transmitted by particles from chickenpox blisters or by touching particles landed on different surfaces.

Chickenpox is most contagious 1 to 2 days before the rash appears till all of them are dried and crusted.

Varicella vaccine prevents attack of chickenpox. Children should get two doses of the vaccine first at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second at 4 to 6 years. People over age 13 who haven’t been vaccinated should get two doses of the vaccine 28 days apart.

Symptoms

Chickenpox symptoms appear 10 to 21 days after exposure of virus. That’s normally followed by these symptoms:

Body aches.
Fever.
Feeling extremely tired (fatigue).
Feeling irritable.
Loss of appetite.
Headache.

Doctor consultation is extremely recommended if the following symptoms are developed:

The rash spreads to one or both eyes.
The rash gets very red, warm, or tender. You could have a bacterial skin infection.
Dizziness.
Shortness of breath.
Vomiting.
Stiff neck.
You can’t control your muscles.
Fever over 102 F.
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