How does chicken pox affect the body

A person is most able to transmit chickenpox from one to two days before the rash appears until all the blisters are dry and crusted. People with a weakened immune system may be contagious for a longer period of time.

Acyclovir is approved for treatment of chickenpox. However, because chickenpox tends to be mild in healthy children, most physicians do not feel that it is necessary to prescribe acyclovir. Acyclovir can be considered for otherwise healthy people who are at risk of moderate to severe varicella.

It is important to consult with your physician for recommendations on the use of acyclovir. Most people do not get chickenpox more than once. However, since varicella-zoster virus remains in the body after an initial infection, infection can return years later in the form of shingles in some older adults and sometimes in children.

A vaccine to protect children against chickenpox was first licensed in Children who have never had chickenpox should routinely be administered two doses of varicella vaccine with the first dose at 12 to 15 months and the second dose at four to six years of age.

Persons 13 years of age and older who have never had chickenpox or have not received the varicella vaccine should get two doses of the varicella vaccine at least 28 days apart. The varicella vaccine may be given along with the measles-mumps-rubella MMR vaccine in a combination called measles-mumps-rubella-varicella MMRV that is approved for use in children 12 months through 12 years of age.

In New York State, varicella vaccine is required for children enrolled in pre-kindergarten programs and schools. Vaccination is recommended for healthcare personnel and college students who have never had chickenpox. Maintaining high levels of varicella immunization in the community is critical to controlling the spread of chickenpox. Varicella-zoster is a herpes virus that causes chickenpox, a common childhood illness. It is highly contagious.

If an adult develops chickenpox, the illness may be more severe. After a person has had chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus can remain inactive in the body for many years. Herpes zoster shingles occurs when the virus becomes active again. Chickenpox first occurs as a blister-like skin rash and fever. It takes from days after exposure for someone to develop chickenpox. The sores commonly occur in batches with different stages bumps, blisters, and sores present at the same time.

The blisters usually scab over in 5 days. A person with chickenpox is contagious days before the rash appears and until all blisters have formed scabs. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. The rash of chickenpox is unique. Diagnosis can usually be made on the appearance of the rash and a history of exposure. Children should not scratch the blisters because it could lead to secondary bacterial infections. Keep fingernails short to decrease the likelihood of scratching.

Complications can happen from chickenpox. They are more common in adults and people with weak immune systems. Complications may include:. If your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms, call your healthcare provider.

You should tell your provider as quickly as possible if you get these symptoms:. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What causes chickenpox? Who is at risk for chickenpox? Most people who have had chickenpox will be immune to the disease for the rest of their lives.

However, the virus remains inactive in nerve tissue and may reactivate later in life causing shingles. Very rarely, a second case of chickenpox does happen. Blood tests can confirm immunity to chickenpox in people who are unsure if they have had the disease. What are the symptoms of chickenpox? Symptoms may include: Fatigue and irritability one to two days before the rash begins Itchy rash on the trunk, face, scalp, under the armpits, on the upper arms and legs, and inside the mouth.

Following an attack of chickenpox, the virus becomes latent lies dormant in nerve cells in the body. The dormant virus may reactivate, causing shingles later in life.

One in three adults will be affected in their lifetime. The incidence and severity increase with age. People who have never had the chickenpox illness or have never been immunised against chickenpox can get chickenpox not shingles if they come into contact with the fluid in the blisters of a person with shingles.

Immunisation against chickenpox can be achieved with either of two vaccines. The first is a combined vaccine containing components to protect against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella MMRV. The second is the chickenpox varicella vaccine, which protects only against chickenpox. Protection against chickenpox is available free of charge under the National Immunisation Program Schedule.

In Victoria, single-dose immunisation against chickenpox is free for children at 18 months — given as the combination MMRV vaccine.

If the child has already had chickenpox prior to 18 months of age, or there is an uncertain history of chickenpox, the varicella-containing vaccine MMRV can still be safely given.

Research shows that two doses of chickenpox vaccine in children provides increased protection and reduces the risk of chickenpox occurring at a later time. The government funds one free dose of a chickenpox-containing vaccine, and a parent or carer can purchase another dose, on prescription.

Discuss this with your immunisation provider. Immunised children who get chickenpox known as breakthrough chickenpox generally have a much milder form of the disease. They have fewer skin lesions, a lower fever and recover more quickly. The combination MMRV vaccine is not recommended for people aged 14 years and over.

Therefore, from 14 years of age, two doses of chickenpox vaccine are required for protection. These are given at least four weeks apart. Ask your immunisation provider for more information. Before vaccinating someone from 14 years of age for chickenpox, a blood test should be done to check if the person is already protected against chickenpox.

For all young people who have not been fully immunised up to and including 19 years, free catch-up vaccines are available.

For people over the age of 19 needing catch-up vaccination, a prescription for two doses of the vaccine is required. Some people in the community cannot be vaccinated — perhaps because they are too young or too sick. But, when enough people in the community are vaccinated, the spread of a disease slows down or stops completely. So as long as enough people are vaccinated, diseases such as chickenpox will not spread.