Chicken Pox: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention & Cure

Chickenpox is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus. The affected person develops an itchy rash on the whole body. It is a communicable disease and shows human to human transmission. Chickenpox infections are caused by certain microorganisms called pathogens than happen mostly in temperate climates. This dreadful viral disease was first discovered in the mid-1990s. The disease can occur in both children and adults and last for up to 14 days, however, the young are particularly vulnerable. People who get infected with chickenpox can expect to experience a high but tolerable level of discomfort and a fever as the disease works its way through the system.

Key Terms: Chickenpox, Varicella-Zoster Virus, Viral Disease, Communicable Diseases, Symptoms, Incubation Period, Blisters, Pathogens

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What is Chicken Pox?

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Also known as varicella, chickenpox is a communicable, infectious, viral disease, that causes itchy red blisters that appear all over the body. It more often affects children. It is mainly caused by the varicella-zoster virus and is a highly contagious infectious disease, with an incubation period of 10 to 21 days.

At first researchers and scientists believe that this ailment was an important stage in the transition from children to adults and provide children with greater and improved immunity to other forms of sickness later in life.

Chicken Pox

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Symptoms of Chicken Pox

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There are many symptoms of chickenpox which appear one or two days before the infection appears on the body. In the case of children, the rash is often the first sign. Some of the symptoms of the viral disease are given below:

• Fever 
• Nausea 
• Weakness
• Headache 
• Itchiness 
• Dehydration 
• Sore Throat

After the Chickenpox infects the body there are these problems on the body: 

• Rash on the entire body 
• Crusts and Scabs 
• Red Bumps or Papules 
• Small fluid-filled blisters (vesicles)
• Loss of Appetite 
• Difficulties in Breathing 
• Sore throat 
• Lumps

Read More: Smallpox

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Factors Causing Chicken Pox

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• Causative Organism: The primary causative microorganism is the varicella-zoster virus. It belongs to the subfamily alphaherpesvirus. 
• Host Factors: Generally children less than 10 years of age who get affected with chickenpox are said it has durable immunity. Also, people coming in contact with the infected persons or the fluid from an infected child’s eyes, nose or mouth acquire the disease. By breathing the air from an infected person who sneezes or coughs it transmits to the other person. 
• Environmental Factors: Chickenpox is a disease mainly concentrated in tropical and temperate areas mostly there are seasonal variations. The presence of more people or things in less space with improper ventilation allows the transmission of the virus from one person to the other.

Chicken Pox- Symptoms, Prevention and Care

Read More: Difference between Active and Passive Immunity

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Risk of Chicken Pox Complications

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Although the chickenpox virus is a mild disease it can lead to various types of serious complications. It can cause bacterial infection to the skin, tissues and bone, joints of the body and can also affect the blood flow resulting in sepsis. 

Affected persons may have dehydration or have the symptoms of pneumonia. During the incubation period of the chickenpox virus, the inflammation of the brain or encephalitis can lead to even death of the person. There are also other complications of the chickenpox virus, like-

• Spreading of rash to one or both eyes 
• During the incubation period, the rash gets very red, warm and tender that further causing a secondary bacterial infection. 
• It also led to dizziness, disorientation, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, vomiting, and cough.

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Prevention and Cure of Chicken Pox

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According to doctors, the best way to prevent the infection of chickenpox is the vaccination. The vaccine provides complete protection from viral disease for the majority of people who receive both doses. If the case vaccine did not prevent the infections it will surely lessen the severity of the disease caused in the human body. 

But the vaccine is not approved for the women who are in the stage of pregnancy or people who are infected with HIV and have weak immune systems.

Read More: Difference Between AIDS and HIV

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Things to Remember

• The highly contagious chickenpox virus is initially caused by the varicella-zoster virus that results in rash skin, itchiness and blisters around the whole body of an infected person. 
• It is an airborne disease and has a high risk of human transmission through coughs and sneezes of an infected person. The rash is very tender and warm. 
• There are various symptoms caused by chickenpox disease like dizziness, shortness of breath, cough, high fever, soreness of the throat and eventually led to weakening immune systems. 
• The incubation period of the chickenpox virus is 10 to 14 days and during that period there is a loss of appetite, severe headache, tiredness, and fever but the reinfection does not cause any symptoms.
• In many countries, there are various types of recommended vaccines by doctors for children below 14 years of age. 

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