Chicken
Pox
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Introduction
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Chickenpox
was once considered a rite of passage for most children.
And for many, this common and highly contagious disease — characterized
by red, itchy spots on the skin — still occurs in
childhood. In fact, it's estimated that about 4 million
Americans, mostly children, contract chickenpox each year.
Yet adults also can become infected
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Cause
Chickenpox
is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a type of
herpes virus. This virus is easily spread from person
to person through the air and physical contact. Outbreaks
of chickenpox are common in late winter and early spring — periods
of moderate temperatures when viruses thrive.
Most people think of chickenpox as a mild disease — and, for
most, it is. In otherwise healthy children, chickenpox lasts 2 weeks
or less and rarely causes complications. But for adults who've never
been in contact with the virus and get sick later in life, chickenpox
can be serious. Complications from chickenpox can result in hospitalization
and can even be life-threatening.
Until 1995 — when a vaccine to prevent chickenpox became available — nearly
everyone developed chickenpox in childhood. Today, children are routinely
immunized against chickenpox. Vaccination against chickenpox is expected
to greatly reduce the number of current and future cases
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Treatment
In
otherwise healthy children, chickenpox typically requires
no medical treatment. Some doctors prescribe antihistamines
to relieve itching. But for the most part, the disease
is allowed to run its course.
In people in high-risk groups for complications from chickenpox, doctors
sometimes prescribe an antiviral drug such as acyclovir (Zovirax) to
shorten the duration of the infection and help reduce the risk of complications.
Another drug called varicella-zoster immune globulin, or VZIG, also may
be given. It contains antibodies to the chickenpox virus.
If complications do develop, doctors treat those by type. Skin infections
and pneumonia may be treated with antibiotics. Encephalitis is usually
treated with antiviral drugs. Hospitalization may be necessary.
No one with chickenpox — child or adult — should receive
any medicine containing aspirin because this combination has been associated
with a disease called Reye's syndrome.
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Prevention
The
use of the varicella virus vaccine (Varivax) is the best
way to prevent chickenpox. The vaccine has been available
for use in the United States since 1995. According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
the vaccine protects 90 percent to 100 percent of people
who receive it.
Those advised by the CDC to receive the chickenpox vaccine include:
· Infants — the ideal time is between 12
and 18 months of age, as part of a routine immunization schedule
· Children, teenagers and adults who've
never had chickenpox or been vaccinated — if you don't
remember whether you've had chickenpox, a blood test can determine
your immunity
· Teachers of young children,
child-care employees and health care workers who may
work with populations at risk of chickenpox
The vaccine is given in one dose to children 1 to 13 years of age. Those
who are older are given two doses, 4 to 8 weeks apart. Protection is
believed to last at least 10 to 20 years and perhaps longer, but it's
unclear whether a booster shot may be necessary later in life. Many vaccines
require booster doses. Time and study will tell if Varivax is one of
them.
The vaccine isn't approved for use in pregnant women, people with weakened
immunity or people who are allergic to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin.
Consult your doctor for more information about the varicella vaccine.
Women who are planning on becoming pregnant should be up-to-date on their
vaccinations before conceiving a child.
Parents typically wonder whether vaccines are safe. Since it became available,
several million doses of the varicella vaccine have been given to children
in the United States. Studies continue to show the vaccine to be safe
and effective. Side effects are generally mild and include redness, soreness,
fatigue, nausea and, rarely, small bumps at the site of the shot.
If you've had chickenpox, you don't need the vaccine. You're immune to
future exposures for life. However, it may be possible that if you had
a very mild infection as a child that your body may not have built up
an adequate amount of antibodies to prevent a second infection. Or you
may assume that you had chickenpox as a child when you actually didn't,
putting you at risk of infection later in life.
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