Chickenpox, also known as chickenpox, is a highly contagious disease that occurs when the victim is exposed to varicella zoster virus. Chickenpox is an airborne disease, which means it spreads easily through coughing, cross-contamination and sneezing. Symptoms include high fever, small red blisters that are incredibly itchy and headaches. Although the symptoms generally do not last more than a week, complications can occur, including susceptibility to pneumonia, inflammation of the brain and scarring.
How does it spread?
Cough and contamination through germs are the most common ways of spreading chickenpox virus. The disease is suspended in the air, so practically everyone is susceptible. If diagnosed with chickenpox, there is a 21-day period during which a given infected person could spread the virus. Who cares for victims of chicken pox must be very careful and alert, so as not to contract the disease on their own. That being said, after an initial infection you become virtually immune to the disease for the rest of their lives.
How deadly is chickenpox?
Although chickenpox is a common disease, it is also preventable. The vaccination of the disease comes in two doses. Perversing to the discovery of vaccinations, up to 4 million people have been diagnosed with the disease every year all over the world. The elderly and young were the most sensitive to the disease as their immune system does not tend to be as strong. Varicella vaccination has saved an estimated 150 lives per year and about 10,500 hospitalizations. Some medicines and vaccinations are difficult to reach in some countries and in countries that do not have adequate medical systems, higher mortality rates due to chickenpox are still present. That being said, globally there is a mortality rate of around 1 per 60,000 due to the disease.
How widespread is this disease?
Chickenpox reaches all the lengths of the earth, although it was first found in Europe. The vaccination is on the “Essential medicinal products for children” list in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan and some European countries, which have included the virus on their routine vaccination lists. Before the varicella vaccination became the norm, many people were used to contracting the disease at some point in their lives. Up to 90% of Americans were infected with chicken pox at some point in their lives, even if the situation is changing.
Is there a cure?
Acetaminophen is administered as a painkiller and to reduce fever in patients with chickenpox. Aciclovir is administered as an antiviral drug to combat the varicella virus, which has proven to be the most effective drug for treating the disease. Along with these medicines, a vaccination against chickenpox is available to the public. Two doses of the vaccine are distributed to each staff, and after the second shot you are practically immune to the disease. Chickenpox may have been a problematic disease many decades ago, but with the use of modern medicine we have learned to fight and even prevent it.
