Chicken pox is a communicable disease that has a characteristic rash that resembles blisters. It is more prevalent in tropical and temperate climatic regions and mostly affects children. However, most people must at one time in their lives suffer from an infection with the disease. The cause of chicken pox is a herpes virus called the varicella –zoster virus. The disease is normally mild in terms of the level of pain experienced. Unfortunately, infected persons may experience a significant level of discomfort. However, there have been instances of fatalities from the disease, though they have been few (Hoffmann, 2009).
The varicella –zoster virus is transmitted from an infected person to a susceptible individual via air. Transmission from direct contact with the fluid in the wounds of an infected individual is also possible. A susceptible person is one who is not vaccinated or one who has never suffered from chicken pox. The signs and symptoms of the disease may vary from one person to another, but there are a few characteristic ones. The incubation period of the disease is approximately two weeks. It is normally coupled with a mild fever, aches in the abdomen area, and headaches. The primary symptom is a widespread rash over the whole body comprising of small sacs filled with fluid. The skin around these lesions is red in color. Upon admission of treatment, the lesions dry up, develop crusts, and finally fall off (Glaser, 2006).
Chicken pox does not have prompt treatment that makes it go away. The disease usually fades away after action by the human immune system. In some instances, antiviral medicines, such as aciclovir, help in the healing process. However, vaccination through the varicella-zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) equips the body with a preset defense mechanism against future exposure to the same virus. Michiaki Takahashi is responsible for the discovery of the varicella vaccine against chicken pox in 1974 in Japan.
References
Hoffmann, G. (2009). Chickenpox. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark.
Glaser, J. (2006). Chicken pox. Mankato, Minn: Capstone Press.
