Varicella

Varicella (Chickenpox) is a highly contagious viral infection that causes fever and itchy rash that can spread and turn into pneumonia, brain inflammation, and skin infections.

• Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that causes fever and an itchy blister-like rash. It spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with blisters, with an 85% chance of infection for unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus. Symptoms appear 14-16 days after exposure.
• Complications & Risks
  • While most cases are mild, serious complications can occur:
    • 1 in 1,000 children infected will develop pneumonia or encephalitis (brain inflammation).
    • 1 in 50 pregnant women who get chickenpox may have babies with birth defects, including intellectual disabilities and limb abnormalities.
    • Some people may develop Group A strep infections (“flesh-eating bacteria”), which can cause severe tissue damage.
    • Measles has been known to wipe out your natural immunity against past diseases.
  • Teens and adults tend to have more severe symptoms than young children.
• Treatment & Prevention
  • Antiviral medication may help if started within 72 hours of rash onset, but it is not recommended for healthy children under 12.
  • Post-exposure vaccination within 72-120 hours of contact may prevent or lessen symptoms.
• Best Protection: Vaccination
  • The chickenpox vaccine is the safest and most effective way to prevent infection and severe complications. Before the vaccine, chickenpox was a common childhood disease, but now cases are much less frequent.

The Varicella Vaccines remain the best protection against chickenpox. Stay protected. Stay informed.

Here is a video that goes into more detail about Chickenpox.