Chickenpox and immunisation

What is Chickenpox?

- A contagious disease caused by Varicella Zoster Virus
- A common childhood disease characterized by fever and itchy blisters on the body

Modes of transmission

 - Direct contact

- Droplets of saliva from coughs or sneezes

- Wet blisters

- Items contaminated by infected fluids

Complications

• Skin infection
• Dehydration
• Severe heardache
• Muscle aches 
• Irritability
• Drowsiness
• Brain damage from encephalitis (inflammation)
• Pneumonia
• Arthritis (joint pain)

Treatment and Care

• Anti-viral medications usually most effective when taken in the first 24 hours of illness
• Avoid scratching as it can cause scarring

Prevention

- Chicken pox vaccine- Varilrix

- Children from 12 months onwards receive two doses of vaccine at least 6 weeks apart

- Similarly, adults who have yet to receive the vaccine should have 2 doses, at least 6 weeks apart

How does varilix work?

- Contains a live but weakened form of the virus that causes chickenpox, varicella-zoster.

- It works by provoking the body's immune response to this virus, without actually causing the disease.