Chicken Pox: What you may not know about it.

Many of you have heard and have had chicken pox at an early age of your life, but do you know how and why chickenpox is caused?

Chickenpox is a common skin disease caused by the virus called Varicella (which is also the scientific name for the disease). Most people contract the disease between the ages of 5 - 15. When adults are infected with chicken pox, it is usually more severe than it would be in children. Varicella belongs to the family of Herpes viruses.

Why do people get infected with Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is highly contagious and infects the human body very quickly. This is also the reason why children get the disease since their immune system is not strong enough to counteract the disease. It is passed between family members and classmates through airborne and droplets in the air. It can also be transmitted by contact with articles of clothing and other items that are exposed to open sores.Patients are contagious up to five days (more commonly, one to two days) before and five days after the date that their rash appears.

What are the signs and symptoms of Chickenpox?

The common symptoms of the disease are mild fever, weakness, rash which are the first stage of the disease. Once chickenpox persists, the person develops red spots which become blisters that burst and create open sores. It usually begins on the scalp, sensitive areas of the body and then arms and legs. The rashes tend to be very itchy and can create scars if not treated properly.

Treatments:

Many of the treatments for chickenpox are meant to decrease the symptoms such as itching. For example, Tylenol can be used to decrease fevers and aches that are associated with viral infection. Children should never be given aspirin because there is a risk of developing Reye's syndrome which is a disease associated with liver and brain dysfunction. Many people who are infected with chickenpox also take frequent oatmeal bath and can decrease the itching. They also use soothing lotions and moisturizers such as calamine lotion.

Many people get infected with chickenpox once never get it again because your immune system recognizes the disease and blocks it from entering.