How serious is chicken pox?

Chicken pox is a well-known and feared infection. Most persons focus on the scarring and the discomfort that it causes, but there is more to chicken pox than that. Continuing to highlight adult vaccination, this will be our focus this week.

Chicken pox is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which belongs to the herpes virus family. This is the virus also responsible for shingles (herpes zoster).

Chicken pox is common in childhood but can occur in adults who have no protection against it. Most persons get it between ages four and 10. It is very contagious with up to 90 per cent of persons exposed to it in the household coming down with it. It can be spread by droplets, with the virus escaping into the air from the nose or throat and by direct or indirect contact with broken blisters on the skin. It can be spread even two or three days before the rash develops. It continues to be contagious until all the blisters are dry.

It usually starts out with flu-like symptoms - fever, headache, sore throat, muscle ache, weakness, and loss of appetite. These symptoms often develop 14 to 16 days after exposure to the virus. One or two days later, very itchy blisters normally develop, usually starting on the upper body, but over the next five to seven days, may cover the entire body. The blisters may leave scars, especially if they are scratched and become infected by bacteria.

Chicken pox is not to be taken lightly as it can cause life-threatening complications, but these are rare. They include pneumonia, brain infection, and even heart and kidney problems. These are more likely to occur in the adult male and especially in persons with a weakened immune system, which can be caused by HIV, corticosteroid usage, and cancer (and its treatments). If a pregnant woman gets chicken pox, especially in the first 28 weeks, it can affect the foetus, causing brain damage, underdeveloped fingers and toes, damage to the eye, and disorders of the anus and bladder.

When given two doses of the chicken pox vaccine, there is about 98 per cent effectiveness in preventing it.

If you do get chicken pox, you should limit your contact with other persons until you are no longer contagious, get medication for itching, and antiviral medications. Also avoid scratching; wear loose, cool, light clothes; avoid heat and humidity; keep skin moistened; and use mild soap when bathing.

Dr Douglas Street is a general practitioner and has private practices at Trinity Medical Centre, Trinity Mall at 3 Barnett Street in Montego Bay, and Omega Medical Centre at Plaza de Negril, Negril. Send feedback to drdougstreet@yahoo.com.