I think everyone has heard about chickenpox and even experienced it in childhood. This disease is highly contagious and affects especially the children under the age of 14. This disease comes in the package with the a future immunity from it. Still the further immunity is just a consolation prize, because in the same package is the risk of developing shingles, later in life. This two diseases are caused by the same virus called “varicella-zoster”, which remain in the nervous system until the infected person die, but in a inactive form. Chickenpox was a problem before the introduction of the its vaccine. The virus usually make its appearance in the late winter or early spring.

The Chickenpox causes are connected to its extreme contagious behavior. This virus can be spread through air and through physical contact with a person affected by shingles, especially with the lesions (blisters). After the infection the virus will incubate two weeks before starting its attack. In the incubation time there isn’t any symptoms.

What about the symptoms which appear after the incubation time. This ones assembles with flu symptoms but unlike the flu case, an itchy rash will appear in a day or two. If you don’t know which are the classics flu symptoms let me list a few: fatigue, headache, chills, fever, joint aches. The blisters which appear after the flu-like phase can affect all the body, still blisters usually appear in zones like the scalp, the trunk, the legs and arms. Theese blisters will attack in five days waves. The persons with a weakened immune system will suffer more. In some cases this infection leaded to serious diseases like encephalitis (brain inflammation) and even pneumonia.

The treatment usually contain ointments which get rid of the itchy sensation and in some casses when this isn’t enough, antihistamine liquids or pills can be used. The Antiviral drugs is another solution which should be used in early stages, in order to be effective. This medication is perfect for people with weakened immunity and pregnant women.