infections
Chickenpox
Introduction
Chickenpox is a highly contagious Overview of Viral Infections with the varicella-zoster virus that causes a characteristic itchy rash, consisting of small, raised, blistered, or crusted spots. Chickenpox most often affects children, but the vaccine has greatly decreased the number of cases. Before the rash appears, children have a mild headache, moderate fever, loss of appetite, and a general feeling of illness. The diagnosis is based on symptoms, particularly the rash. Most children recover completely, although some children get very sick and can even die. Usually, only the symptoms need to be treated. Routine vaccination can prevent chickenpox. Chickenpox is an infection that mostly affects children. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is a type of Overview of Herpesvirus Infections (herpesvirus type 3). Prior to the introduction of the Varicella Vaccine , chickenpox epidemics occurred in winter and early spring in 3- to 4-year cycles. A person with chickenpox is contagious from 2 days before the rash appears and remains contagious until the last blisters have crusted. A person with chickenpox is contagious from 2 days before the rash appears and remains contagious until the last blisters have crusted. In children with a normal Overview of the Immune System , chickenpox is rarely severe. Most people with chickenpox simply have sores on the skin and in the mouth. However, the virus sometimes infects the lungs, brain, heart, or liver. Such serious infections are more common among newborns, adults, and people with a A person who has had chickenpox develops immunity and cannot contract it again. However, the varicella-zoster virus remains inactive (dormant) in the body after an initial infection with chickenpox, sometimes reactivating in later life, causing Shingles . A 