Chickenpox

Background of Illness

Chickenpox is an acute highly infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. After 3-4 days of contact, child gets temperature, this is followed by a rash which is a vesicular rash that is lesions with water type fluid in them. It is spread by person to person contact and is mostly common in children up to the age of 10, but the disease can be more serious in adults, particularly pregnant women.

Vaccine Facts

In the recent years there is a reversal of vaccination which is a two dose vaccination in adolescents and adults about 75% protection, but a single dose vaccination in children provides a 90% protection for children between 1 - 13 years of age receive a single injection while children at 13 years of age received two dosage injection at 4 - 6 weeks apart. It is given by subcutaneous injection, can be given at the same time as other live vaccines such as measles, mumps and rubella.

Complications

Adverse effects of vaccine 10% of the adults and 5% of the children can get vaccine related rash which is expected of a live vaccine. Pregnant women should not receive varicella vaccine and pregnancy should be avoided three months after the last dose.