Chickenpox is a highly communicable disease that is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). It usually affects kids, mostly under the age of 15, but it is not uncommon in adults. Its onset presents flu like symptoms which later manifest into the most telltale symptom of chickenpox which is itchy spots on the body and head. In the more severe cases, the spots appear on the palms and the soles of the feet, and inside of the mouth. These spots contain a clear liquid which later becomes open sores, which eventually dry out and heal with minimal scarring. These symptoms of chickenpox vary in severity from individual to individual. Chickenpox is not life threatening, but there are risks of complications in pregnant women and people with weak immune systems.

The chickenpox virus is highly contagious and thus very common. A healthy person can be infected with the virus through direct skin contact with an infected person, or inhaling their coughs and sneezes. An infected person should be kept away from the uninfected to prevent the spread of the chickenpox virus, although people who have had it before develop a lifelong immunity.

The best method of treating chickenpox is by taking antiviral drugs and using calamine lotion for the spots. If treatment starts early, the symptoms will disappear in 4 to 8 days after which the patient will no longer be contagious. If the spots on the skin are scratched, a bacterial infection can occur, in which case antibacterial medicine should be given to the patient.

Chickenpox in kids can be prevented by the administering the chickenpox vaccine which can prevent its development later in life. Although the vaccine is effective, there is no guarantee of immunity. It is possible for a vaccinated person to contract the illness later in life.

Once a person has had chickenpox, he develops a lifelong immunity to it. The virus though remains in his body and he is at risk of developing shingles later in life. 1 in 5 people who have had chickenpox develop shingles.

A lot of people ask "What is shingles"? Shingles is also a viral infection that presents with painful rashes on the skin. Shingles is also called shingles chickenpox because of its similarity to chickenpox.

The shingles virus is the same as the chickenpox virus. After an episode of chickenpox, the varicella virus remains dormant in the body and later develops into shingles. Shingles symptoms are almost identical as that of chickenpox. Itching and tingling on the skin that later develop into spots and painful rashes. Fever and diarrhea is not uncommon. The causes of shingles are a history of chickenpox and sometimes a weak immune system.

Shingles treatment is also similar to that of chickenpox. Antiviral drugs are the best treatment and they are most effective when taken within the first 3 days of noticing symptoms. Steroids can also be used to ease the pain and swelling. Shingles cannot be transmitted from one person to another, but coming in contact with a person suffering from it can give you chickenpox. That is if you have not had it before, or you have not been immunized.

For both shingles and chickenpox, early treatment is key, and isolation helps to prevent the spread of the virus.

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