by Tamara Iannello

Created on: May 09, 2008   Last Updated: May 12, 2008

Chicken pox is a common childhood illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Chicken pox symptoms begin with a flu-like illness, including mild fever, sore throat, headache, and/or abdominal pain. A day or two later, a rash appears, beginning on the abdomen then spreading to the arms, legs, back, and face. The rash starts as small red bumps, resembling pimples or insect bites. The bumps become fluid-filled blisters, which eventually burst then crust over. The illness usually runs its course in about a week.

Chicken pox is generally a mild disease. The rash may be more severe in those who have skin disorders, such as eczema. Complications can occur, most commonly bacterial skin infections due to scratching. In rare cases, bacterial infections of the lungs, bones, joints, and brain have occurred. Chicken pox does pose more serious complications to pregnant women. A pregnant woman is more likely to deliver preterm, and the fetus (especially if contracted within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy) is at risk for birth defects.

Chicken pox is a highly contagious disease. The chicken pox virus is airborne, and spreads easily through coughing or sneezing. The blister secretions are also contagious. A person is contagious 2 days before the rash appears, so he can spread it without knowing he has it. Chicken pox can also be contracted from the blister secretions of a person with shingles. There is a 21 day incubation period between contracting the virus and the onset of symptoms of chicken pox.

Treating chicken pox is usually done with over the counter treatments, such as calamine lotion and oatmeal baths to soothe the itch. Cool to lukewarm compresses can also be used to alleviate itching. It is important not to scratch in order to avoid skin infection. Parents can put mittens or socks on a child's hands to discourage scratching. Anti-viral medications, such as acyclovir, are given only if the patient is at risk for complications.

The varicella vaccination (chicken pox vaccine) is given at about 12 to 15 months of age, with the Center for Disease Control recommending a booster at 4 to 6 years of age. The vaccination is 70 to 85% effective in preventing a mild infection, and 95% effective in preventing a moderate to severe infection. While the chicken pox vaccine is effective in preventing chicken pox, it offers no protection from shingles.

What is shingles? Shingles (herpes zoster) is a reactivation of the chicken pox virus, which lays dormant in nerve cells and resurfaces later in life, most commonly after 60 years of age. About 20% of people who have had chicken pox will contract shingles. The causes of shingles can be due to stress, an immune deficiency, or cancer, but in many cases the reason for the reactivation of the shingle virus is unknown.

Shingle symptoms start with sensitive skin, accompanied by tingling, itching, and or pain, followed by a rash of red bumps and blisters. Shingles treatment includes anti-viral medications, steroids, and/or pain medication. In 2006, the FDA approved a vaccine to prevent shingles in people over 60.

The fluid from the shingles blisters are contagious to people who have not had chicken pox. The shingles chicken pox virus will cause a person to contract chicken pox, not shingles.

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