Chicken Pox

The rash appears first on the chest back and face and then spreads over the entire body.

Chicken pox. Chickenpox varicella is a viral illness caused by the herpes zoster virus also known as the Varicella-Zoster virus. Chickenpox is easily spread by direct contact with a person who has chickenpox or by fluid droplets in the air when they cough or sneeze. Chickenpox is usually mild and generally occurs during childhood but it can appear at any stage of life.

Chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness that most children catch at some point. Serious complications are rare but are more likely to occur in children with a poor immune system such as those on chemotherapy. It cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Another theory is that the word chicken was derived from a slang term for child. It tends to be more severe in adults than in children. Treatment is directed at reducing the itch and discomfort.

Although almost all persons develop lifelong immunity after chickenpox infection the virus may remain latent in the body and recur many years later as herpes zoster shingles. Treatment is usually to relieve the symptoms which are commonly fever and a rash. Chickenpox in adults and immunosuppressed people can be severe.

Chickenpox is also serious for pregnant women. It predominantly affects children under 12 years of age. The disease progresses through symptoms that start one to three weeks after exposure to the.

Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella virus. Treatment options aim to relieve symptoms and include bed rest calamine lotion and lukewarm baths. Full recovery is usual in children aged under 12 years.