My infectious Disease Project by Kendall Alexa Mazaheri

Infectious Agent

kmazaheri — 2024-07-14 23:26:36 UTC

The infectious agent that causes Chickenpox is the varicella-zoster virus.

History

kmazaheri — 2024-07-15 01:51:42 UTC

The history of VZV (aka varicella-zoster virus) is not fully known according to the internet. But, many sources estimate it was likely about 70 million years ago.

Type of Disease

kmazaheri — 2024-07-15 01:57:40 UTC

An acute infectious disease. This means a sudden onset of disease. Back in 1875, this idea that chicken pox was caused by an infectious agent was demonstrated by Rudolf Steiner.

kmazaheri — 2024-07-15 01:58:48 UTC

kmazaheri — 2024-07-15 01:59:23 UTC

kmazaheri — 2024-07-22 04:13:37 UTC

While the history of chicken pox, as mentioned, dates back to 10s of millions of years ago. There is evidence that the disease was introduced to the Americas via settlers from Europe all the way back to the 15th century. While there were many infectious diseases brought on the Americas by European colonization, it estimated that around 20 million people died within just a few generations from all these diseases which includes chickenpox.

(Unable to find an accurate depicition of this on a map)

kmazaheri — 2024-07-22 05:33:35 UTC

Chicken pox is highly contagious but no longer has a high mortality rate. It can be spread before the rash appears. Due to vaccinations, the number of chicken pox cases has decreased by 97% in the US. Virulence is defined as the "harm (including signs and symptoms) done by a pathogen. to the host following infection". While previously this infectious disease might be correlated to having high virulence, deaths of individuals under 20 years old have decreased 99% since the vaccinations began in the US (1995).

kmazaheri — 2024-07-27 22:33:07 UTC

The health care community took this disease very seriously after about 4 million people got varicella in the 1990s. Because of the high number of cases and the rapid spread, it was clear that a vaccine would be beneficial. In 1995, the vaccine became part of routine child immunization. Since then the cases have declined by over 97%.

kmazaheri — 2024-07-27 22:38:44 UTC

I believe the government handled it well as it became required for enrollment in public schools thus stopping the rapid spread in a susceptible community.

kmazaheri — 2024-08-07 04:32:58 UTC

When researching social and sociological impacts of chicken pox I found a lot of texts about education levels as well as religious believes mainly pertaining to whether or not parents decide to get their children vaccinated. While thinking about this I thought about how this idea would effect societal behaviors and though of the fact that parents who do not believe in vaccination against chicken pox must have their children attend schools where these immunizations are required. It made me wonder if this would lead to an outbreak or a higher likelihood of spread of this disease. Furthermore, I do believe society learned about the physical effect of chicken pox and new signs/symptoms to look out for as well as proper treatment.