Overview

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease that is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster. Chickenpox is common in children and is mostly characterised by a skin rash that causes small itchy blisters to form all over the skin, these blisters eventually scab over, however, other symptoms are associated with chickenpox as well such as fever, headaches and fatigue. Although chickenpox is common in children it can have quite severe symptoms in the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. This is why it is important to know how the virus spreads to prevent infection if you are part of these groups. There is also a varicella-zoster vaccine that you could potentially be offered if you are part of these groups and have not been infected by chickenpox.¹

Symptoms of chickenpox

Chickenpox symptoms have a wide range which includes:¹

• Fever
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Red or pink bumps all over the skin
• Bumps become blisters that contain fluid which can leak
• Bumps become crusty, scab over and begin to heal

How chickenpox infection occurs

Individuals are infected with chickenpox when they breathe in droplets from an infected individual, this is why it is recommended that when you have chickenpox to isolate it from other people to not risk infecting anyone who may have severe symptoms. However, it is important to note that the varicella virus can be infectious before symptoms begin. This is why it is highly contagious.¹ If the virus is inhaled it will be present in the lungs and upper respiratory tract where it will migrate to the skin surface to cause blisters that are characteristic of chickenpox, this is another way that infection can occur as the blisters before they scab over will also release the virus through the blisters which means other individuals can also become infected through inhalation of the virus released from the blisters.² Although rarer it is also possible to get infected with chickenpox because of coming into contact with objects that someone has touched or used during their infectious period, again showing how quickly the chickenpox varicella virus can spread.³ However, even though chickenpox can spread rapidly if you have already had chickenpox during your lifetime, you will likely not catch it again, as being infected once provides you with lifelong immunity, if it does occur it is very rare and is more likely to present as shingles than chickenpox.² The vaccine can also prevent you from developing chickenpox but there is a small chance that you will, however, it is unlikely, and your symptoms will be more mild.³

How to prevent chickenpox

Some studies have shown that ventilation, for example, open windows and larger rooms can help prevent infection with the varicella virus that causes chickenpox however, because of how the droplets can spread through the air because of coughing and sneezing it is recommended that individuals that have developed blisters to isolate to prevent infecting anyone that has not been infected and may have severe symptoms to chickenpox infection.⁴

The chickenpox vaccine is available through the NHS however, some criteria  have to be met:

• 9 months old or over
• Not had chickenpox before
• You are in close contact with someone who would get seriously ill if they had chickenpox
• You have close contact with people such as doctors, nurses, catering staff and laboratory workers who are exposed to the chickenpox virus but have not had chickenpox themselves

People who cannot get the chickenpox vaccine:

• Individuals with weakened immune systems
• Pregnant women
• Babies under 9 months old
• People who have had previous allergic reactions to other vaccines
• People who have had the MMR vaccine in the last 4 weeks

If you have had the chickenpox vaccine you must not get pregnant for 1 month after the last dose of the vaccine.⁵

Treatment for chickenpox

It is recommended that you get plenty of rest and fluids when suffering from chickenpox, it is difficult to not scratch the blisters however, some strategies to prevent this include pressing a moist rag on the rashes, trimming fingernails so you do not cause as much damage if you do scratch. Buy a lotion from a pharmacy to put on the scabs to help prevent itching.⁶

Conclusion

In conclusion, chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus is highly contagious and can spread rapidly due to being infectious before symptoms occur, it is important to consider getting the chickenpox vaccine if you are eligible and also isolating if you have chickenpox to prevent infecting people who may have severe symptoms. There are some prevention strategies such as ventilation however, it is difficult to avoid if there is a chickenpox-infected individual. However, it is important to remember that once you have chickenpox, you should be protected for life.