Varicella
What is a chicken pox?
Chickenpox is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This virus is highly contagious and can be serious for children and adults who have not had the vaccine. Although the disease itself is generally not life threatening, it can cause a number of unpleasant side effects such as itchiness, inflammation, fatigue, headaches, coughing, and vomiting. In some cases, chickenpox can also lead to more serious conditions such as pneumonia and encephalitis. This is why it’s so important for parents to get their children vaccinated against chickenpox.
Causes & Treatment
Symptoms of Chickenpox
The first symptoms of chickenpox usually appear in children within three to seven days of being infected. Children experience a fever, a skin rash, and a sore throat as the first signs. In younger children, the infection can also cause conjunctivitis and diarrhoea. As the virus spreads to the vital organs in the body, more symptoms start to appear. These include pain in the abdomen, joint pains, headache, and loss of appetite. These more severe symptoms usually begin after the child has had the chicken pox for several days. The disease generally lasts about seven to ten days in children but can last for two to three weeks in adults. Once the infection has cleared up, there is no permanent damage to the body. However, if the infection is not treated properly, it can cause serious complications or even death.
