Chicken Pox Virus by Shostrand, Isabel Reece

Chickenpox Explained by The CDC:

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Varicella

Causative Agent (Varicella - Zoster Virus):

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The Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) spreads quickly and is highly contagious to unvaccinated people. An estimated 90% of unvaccinated or unimmune people close to an infected person will also become infected. When someone has been infected by the VZV and develops chickenpox, they develop an immunity for life (it is possible to have chicken pox twice, but it is uncommon). Uniquely, VZV lays dormant in the body until later in life where it is expressed as shingles. (Image from: Dimensions of Dental Hygiene)

Symptoms of Chickenpox:

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It takes about 2 weeks or between 10 – 21 days for a person to develop chickenpox or exhibit symptoms of chickenpox. Typical symptoms appear one to two days before rash, including fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, and headache. Chickenpox is usually accompanied by itchy fluid filled red blister that eventually dries and turns into scabs. People that have been vaccinated against chickenpox can still be infected by chicken pox but often display milder symptoms and have less persistent lesions and blisters. People that are immune compromised or have a weakened immune system may experience more severe symptoms and complications. (Information from: CDC.gov-Chickenpox)

Complications of Chickenpox:

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People at high risk include infants, adolescents, people who are pregnant, individuals with a weakened immune system. People with a weakened immune system may include (people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, recipients of transplants, and people on chemotherapy. More severe complications cause bacterial infections (Group A streptococcal infections), pneumonia, encephalitis, hemorrhagic complications, dehydration and bloodstream infections. Deaths are very rare now due to the vaccine, but hospitalizations can happen in severe circumstances. (Information from: CDC.gov-Chickenpox)

Diagnosing Chickenpox

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Due to the onset of itchy red blisters with chickenpox, it can be easily diagnosed by a physician. Other ways to diagnose chickenpox include lab tests, tissue study or samples of affected skin. Most physicians are able to diagnose chickenpox by just looking at the rash of red bumps that will appear. Physicians may also ask if you have been exposed to others with chickenpox and often isolate you from other patients. (Information from: CDC.gov-Chickenpox)

Treatments for Chickenpox:

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Most treatments for chickenpox include at home symptom management and itch relief. Itch relief can include using calamine lotion, uncooked or colloidal oatmeal and a cool bath. Try to minimize scratching to prevent skin infections and spreading the virus to others. A big note when treating chickenpox is to not take aspirin or aspirin containing products. It has been observed that children with chickenpox that have been given aspirin can develop Reye’s syndrome. Reye’s syndrome is a severe disease, affecting the liver, brain and can result in death. It is recommended to use non-aspirin medications like acetaminophen. Ibuprofen has been associated with life-threatening bacterial skin infections. (Information from: CDC.gov-Chickenpox)

Preventing Chickenpox:

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One of the best forms of prevention for chickenpox is to get the varicella vaccine. Children, adolescents and adults should receive 2 doses of the varicella vaccine. The varicella vaccine has been proven to be safe and effect at preventing chickenpox. Vaccinated people that become infected with chickenpox have more mild and less severe symptoms of chickenpox. Since the varicella vaccination program, there has been a 97% decrease in chickenpox cases. (Information from: CDC.gov-Chickenpox)

History Fact About Chickenpox:

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People before the vaccine would hold “chickenpox parties” where they would bring their children to an infected person’s house. The goal was to have the child get infected and get chickenpox, in hopes they would attain a level of immunity from chickenpox. (Information from: Harvard Health Publishing)

Learn More About Chickenpox:

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Sophia Hambleton: Great North Children's Hospital

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Professor Sophie Hambleton has many published articles detailing the importance of vaccination and how those vaccinations have improved chickenpox infection rates.

Chickenpox Infographic:

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(Provided by: https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/vaccination-program-impact.html)

Citations:

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CDC Chickenpox: Chickenpox (Varicella) | CDC
Harvard Health Publishing: Chickenpox (Varicella) - Harvard Health
PubMed: Global impact of varicella vaccination programs - PubMed (nih.gov )
CDC Vaccination Program: U.S. Chickenpox Vaccination Program | CDC

Emerging Successes in Chickenpox Vaccination:

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According to the PubMed article "Global impact of varicella vaccination programs", it is found that a single dose of the Varicella Vaccine provides an effectiveness against chickenpox of around 76% to 85%. This will reach close to 100% after two doses have been given. It is also found that hospitalization with chickenpox is down 95%.