Herpes Doctor

Chickenpox is very common. About 90% of the world's population have
had chickenpox in childhood.

Chickenpox is caused by the virus Varicella Herpes Zoster (VZV) which
spreads via the humidity in the air during the 7 to 23 day long
incubation period of chickenpox which has no symptoms. This is the
reason chickenpox is so common, you don't even need skin contact
to catch it and there are no symptoms of the chickenpox incubation
period.

Chickenpox is usually seen in children and it is one of those
childhood diseases like mumps and chickenpox that you can't do a lot
about. It is relatively harmless unless you manage to avoid it as
a child and get it as an adult. Chickenpox can be very severe in
adults and quite often results in hospitalization.

Normal outbreaks of chickenpox are not usually treated as there
is no cure and it will go away on its own. If the outbreak is severe
or the patient is an adult, an antiviral agent such as Acyclovir or
Famciclovir may be prescribed. This will help reduce the severity and
duration of the outbreak.

There is a vaccine against chickenpox, usually referred to as
the Varicella vaccine. Although it will not eliminate the risk of
chickenpox, it will reduce it considerably and if you do get
chickenpox, it will be very mild and manageable. Adults who did not
have chickenpox in childhood are recommended this vaccine. Most
countries also recommend the vaccine for children, but it is not
required unlike other vaccines. You do not need a booster in later
life.

Once you've had chickenpox, you are immune to further outbreaks.
You do carry the VZV virus in your body for life,
but it is latent and non-contagious. However, in 1 in 5 seniors it will reactivate
and cause shingles.

Related Links

• What is the chickenpox vaccine?
• What is the VZV virus?
• How common is the VZV virus?

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