Essay On Chickenpox

Introduction-Chickenpox is a common childhood skin disease caused by a viral infection called varicella-zoster virus. Chickenpox is less common in the United States due to universal vaccination with the varicella virus vaccine, though it still occurs in populations that are not routinely vaccinated. The varicella-zoster virus is similar to herpes simplex virus in many respects. The virus is spread through air droplets or direct contact with active lesions. Most cases of chickenpox arise between the ages of 5 and 9, more than 90% of U.S. population is infected by 15 years old. Chickenpox is usually more severe in adults and very young infants than children. Winter and spring are the most common times of the year for chickenpox to occur. The incubation period is 10 to 21 days and most cases are symptomatic.
It is easily passed between members of families and school classmates through airborne particles, droplets in the air, and fluid from the blisters or sores. It also can be transmitted indirectly by contact with articles of clothing and other items exposed to open sores. Patients are contagious up to five days, when all of the sores have crusted over, the person is usually no longer contagious. Symptoms- Symptoms tend to appear 14 to 16 days after the initial exposure but can occur anytime from 10 days up to 21 days after contact with the virus. Chickenpox is characterized by one to two days of fever up to 102 F and a rash, often the first sign of the disease. Rarely, a person may have the disease without the rash. The rash of chickenpox develops in crops with raised red spots arriving first, progressing to blisters that burst, forming open sores, before crusting over. This process usually starts on the scalp, then the trunk and last the arms and legs. The rash is typically itchy.