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Kids, teens, and even adults get
CHICKENPOX
What everyone should know
Chickenpox (also called varicella) is a common
childhood disease. It is usually mild, but it can be serious, especially in young infants
and adults. After coming into contact with someone who has the
chickenpox virus, it usually takes about two to three weeks before symptoms begin.
About a day before the telltale rash appears, the infected person may start to feel
achy and feverish, doesn't feel like eating, and generally seems to be "coming down
with something."
The next day, the pox -- the little red spots or rash -- appear on the chest,
stomach or back, and then on the face. Groups of itchy spots in various stages are typical
of the chickenpox rash. There may be only a few spots or hundreds over the next three to
five days. These pox quickly develop into clear, fluid-filled blisters. They become
cloudy, break open, and then crust over to form scabs. A person with chickenpox is
contagious for about two days before the pox appear and until they have all crusted over.
- The chickenpox virus can be spread from person to person
through the air, or by contact with fluid from chickenpox blisters.
- It causes a rash, itching, fever, and tiredness.
- It can lead to severe skin infection, scars, pneumonia, brain
damage, or death.
- The disease is caused by a virus known as varicella zoster.
- About 12,000 people are hospitalized for chickenpox each year
in the United States. About 100 people die each year in the U.S. as a result of
chickenpox.
- Chickenpox vaccine can prevent chickenpox.
- Most people who get the chickenpox vaccine will not get
chickenpox. But if someone who has been vaccinated does get chickenpox, it is
usually very mild. They will have fewer spots, are less likely to have a fever, and will
recover faster.
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Chickenpox in Children
Most cases of chickenpox
occur in children younger than 14 years
old, most often in children between the ages of five and nine.
When chickenpox is in the household, the chance of a
susceptible child catching the disease from an infected brother, sister, or even a parent
is about 90%. In fact, infected children attending school or day care will need to be kept
home and away from other susceptible children until they are no longer contagious -- that
is, until all the pox have crusted over.
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Chickenpox in Teenagers
Approximately 10% of the population in the U.S. is
susceptible to chickenpox after the age of 15. The course of the infection is virtually
the same in teenagers as it is in younger children. Teenagers contract chickenpox through contact with
a contagious, infected person and go through the same incubation period, which may include
a one- to two-day period of fever, headache, general listlessness, loss of appetite, and
then the appearance of a rash.
Finally, just as in younger children, teenagers need to stay
home from school and other activities until all the pox is crusted over, at which point
they are no longer contagious.
Although most teenagers recover without incident, sometimes
complications can occur. The possibility of complications that may require hospitalization
increases with age.
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