Summary: Varicella-Zoster Virus
Chickenpox
Talitha Marquez
Grand Canyon University
Concepts in Community and Public Health
NRS-427V
Colleen Darrow
June 7, 2014
Chickenpox
Communicable Diseases are transmitted from one person to the next. The transmission occurs via airborne viruses or bacteria, but may also be transmitted through bodily fluids or blood. Communicable diseases may also be referred to as contagious or infectious diseases. One communicable disease is Chickenpox, also known as Varicella-Zoster Virus. Chickenpox is extremely contagious. In fact, it had a 90 percent rate of transmission in close contact (CDC.gov). Before 1995, almost all persons acquired varicella by adulthood. There was an endemic in the United States. It was reported that 4 million per …show more content…
Varicella Zoster is one of the herpes viruses. Symptoms are not usually identified for 10 to 21 days after exposure. The symptoms include fever, tired, no appetite, rash then itchy blisters filled with fluid. This rash usually covers the whole body. These symptoms last between 5 to 10 days. A person that is known to have chickenpox is contagious 1 to 2 days before they get the rash. Once their blisters have formed scabs, it is said to not be contagious. This same virus is also responsible for shingles. Mode of transmission of this disease is transferred through sneezing, coughing or …show more content…
As described earlier, before 1985 nearly everyone had Chickenpox. If you had not contracted this disease then you would be considered to have no immunity against it. This would then put one at risk. There was “Chickenpox parties”. This one when one found out that someone had chickenpox, they would then send over their children so they would contract this disease and be done with it. Dr. Michiaki Takahasi developed the vaccine in the mid 1970’s. However it was not approved until 1995 in the United States. Japan and Korea had the availability in 1988. The vaccine is a live virus called Varivax and ProQuad. Both are manufactured by a company named Merck. There is also an antiviral medication that may be prescribed in severe cases. This medication is Acylovir. Once one has been exposed they become immune to this disease. The susceptibility of contracting this disease again is very rare. Second attacks have happened but are said to be very rare. This usually happens if the first case is mild or at infancy age. There is also a recommendation that if you are 60 years or older, you should receive the booster. A onetime dose. This will also help in the prevention of Shingles. National statistics show that the mortality of Chickenpox in adults have decreased from 1996- 2000. (Rawson, Crampin, & Noah,
Talitha Marquez
Grand Canyon University
Concepts in Community and Public Health
NRS-427V
Colleen Darrow
June 7, 2014
Chickenpox
Communicable Diseases are transmitted from one person to the next. The transmission occurs via airborne viruses or bacteria, but may also be transmitted through bodily fluids or blood. Communicable diseases may also be referred to as contagious or infectious diseases. One communicable disease is Chickenpox, also known as Varicella-Zoster Virus. Chickenpox is extremely contagious. In fact, it had a 90 percent rate of transmission in close contact (CDC.gov). Before 1995, almost all persons acquired varicella by adulthood. There was an endemic in the United States. It was reported that 4 million per …show more content…
Varicella Zoster is one of the herpes viruses. Symptoms are not usually identified for 10 to 21 days after exposure. The symptoms include fever, tired, no appetite, rash then itchy blisters filled with fluid. This rash usually covers the whole body. These symptoms last between 5 to 10 days. A person that is known to have chickenpox is contagious 1 to 2 days before they get the rash. Once their blisters have formed scabs, it is said to not be contagious. This same virus is also responsible for shingles. Mode of transmission of this disease is transferred through sneezing, coughing or …show more content…
As described earlier, before 1985 nearly everyone had Chickenpox. If you had not contracted this disease then you would be considered to have no immunity against it. This would then put one at risk. There was “Chickenpox parties”. This one when one found out that someone had chickenpox, they would then send over their children so they would contract this disease and be done with it. Dr. Michiaki Takahasi developed the vaccine in the mid 1970’s. However it was not approved until 1995 in the United States. Japan and Korea had the availability in 1988. The vaccine is a live virus called Varivax and ProQuad. Both are manufactured by a company named Merck. There is also an antiviral medication that may be prescribed in severe cases. This medication is Acylovir. Once one has been exposed they become immune to this disease. The susceptibility of contracting this disease again is very rare. Second attacks have happened but are said to be very rare. This usually happens if the first case is mild or at infancy age. There is also a recommendation that if you are 60 years or older, you should receive the booster. A onetime dose. This will also help in the prevention of Shingles. National statistics show that the mortality of Chickenpox in adults have decreased from 1996- 2000. (Rawson, Crampin, & Noah,