Chicken Pox Vaccine

Chicken Pox Vaccine

Chickenpox is an infection  caused by the  varicella-zoster virus. Most cases are in children under age 15, but older children  and adults c... 07:57:00

Chickenpox is an infection  caused by the  varicella-zoster virus. Most cases are in children under age 15, but older children  and adults can get it. It spreads very easily from one person to another.

The classic symptom of chickenpox is  an uncomfortable, itchy rash. The rash turns into fluid-filled blisters and eventually into scabs.  It usually shows up on the face, chest, and back  and then  spreads to the rest of the body. Other  symptoms include

• Fever
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite

Chickenpox is usually mild and lasts 5  to 10 days. Calamine lotions and oatmeal baths can help with itching. Acetaminophen can  treat the fever. Do not use aspirin for chickenpox; that combination can cause Reye  syndrome.

Chickenpox can sometimes  cause serious problems. Adults, babies, teenagers, pregnant women, and those with weak  immune systems tend to get sicker from it. They may need to take antiviral medicines.
 

Once  you catch chickenpox, the virus  usually stays in your body. You probably will not get chickenpox again, but the virus can  cause shingles in adults. A chickenpox vaccine can help prevent most cases of chickenpox, or  make it less severe if you do get it.