Chickenpox: How to prevent the disease

Chickenpox 

Chickenpox is a contagious disease that causes many red and itchy bumps to spring up all over your body.

Though older people can become infected, it is most common amongst young children within ages 1-15. Chickenpox is very contagious and can spread when an uninfected person comes in contact with an infected person.

 Also, If a person is not vaccinated he or she can contract the disease if exposed to fluids from an infected person's cough or sneeze. Fluids from punctured chickenpox can also cause infection.

Chickenpox 

Chickenpox is often caused by a virus known as Varicella Zoster Virus. This virus is related to the herpes virus. There are three stages of chickenpox infection. The first stage is characterized by the appearance of little itchy bumps. In stage two, these bumps turn into blisters that are filled with fluids. The third stage is where the bumps start to scab.

Other symptoms of the disease include; rashes, fever, headache, loss of appetite. People with chickenpox may feel very ill for 5 - 10 days. It is also important to note that chickenpox can be very contagious even before the symptoms start to show. 

Also, the causes of chickenpox can be very severe in pregnant women and newborns whose mothers were not vaccinated before they conceived. The same is the case with people whose systems have been impaired.

Prevention:

It is believed that the best way to treat chickenpox is to never get it at all. Chickenpox infection can be prevented by vaccination. Children should receive two doses of the vaccine.

The first dose should be administered when the child is between 12 to 15 months old and the second dose when the child is between ages 4 and 6. Young adults that have not been vaccinated should receive two doses of the vaccine with 28-day intervals between the first and the second dose for maximum effect.

Also, pregnant women, people that have had blood transfusions in the last 5 months, people with weakened immune systems, as well as people that are allergic to gelatin and neomycin should not take the vaccine.

Content created and supplied by: DrGeraldine (via Opera News )