Chickenpox – Causes and its prevention

Chickenpox is a viral disease which is also known as ‘varicella’. The disease is highly contagious to individuals who have never been infected with the disease or those who have never received vaccination against the disease. Chickenpox is characterised by a red itchy blisters which appear on the entire body.  Children are at high risk of getting the disease and it is commonly known as a childhood disease, however, adults who do not get the routine chickenpox vaccination available in Northolt against the disease may as well get infected. 

What causes chickenpox?

Chickenpox is caused by a virus known as varicella zoster.  When you get exposed to the virus an itchy blister forms which appear for about 5 to 10 days. Since chickenpox is highly contagious, it is advisable that a healthy individual who has never had chickenpox not to come into close contact with a person with the infection. Chickenpox can be spread from one person to another through coming into contact with the fluid from the blisters, exhaled air from an infected person. This is the reason why an infected person should be isolated from non-immune individuals to avoid infecting them.

Some of the symptoms of chickenpox include -

•          Tiredness

•          Headache

•          Fever

•          Loss of appetite

This chickenpox causing virus becomes dormant in the body and later on may get reactivated and cause a disease known as shingles. Exposure to an individual with shingles may as well cause chickenpox to a healthy person.

How to prevent Chickenpox?

Prevention is always better than cure. Since you can prevent chickenpox through vaccination, it is recommended that both children and adults receive the vaccine. The Chickenpox vaccination available in Northampton is very effective in preventing chickenpox and two doses of this vaccine are required.

For children, the chickenpox vaccine should be given in their regular vaccine schedule. They should receive the first dosage when they are 12 to 15 months old while the second should be given when they are 4 or 6 six years old.

Adults who have never been vaccinated against chickenpox should as well receive the chickenpox vaccination in Northolt. They should receive the two doses of the vaccine which should be given a month apart. 

The chickenpox vaccination prevents the disease and its complications, but before receiving the vaccine you should always get the advice of a professional doctor.