I think we’re already familiar with Monkeypox disease because of its increasing cases in some countries in 2022. But have you ever heard about Chickenpox? If you want to know more, let’s scroll down this page.
Chickenpox used to be a standard part of childhood illness; it’s an itchy rite of passage most kids went through. Unlike Monkeypox, which is endemic to some countries, this disease is nearly universal in occurrence before the availability of a vaccine.
But thanks to modern vaccines, many people today may never experience it. Still, chickenpox is worth understanding, especially if you or someone you love isn’t vaccinated yet.
What Is Chickenpox?
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that causes a red, itchy, blister-like rash. Most people recover within 1–2 weeks, but some develop complications. The virus behind this disease is called varicella-zoster.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the early 1990s, more than 4 million people got Chickenpox. The hospitalizations reached 10,500 to 13,500, and 100 to 150 died. Half of those deaths were children.
Chickenpox used to infect almost every child in the USA before a vaccine became available in 1995. But then, the United States became the first country to include the chickenpox vaccine as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule.
As a result, since the program began, cases have dropped by more than 97 percent.
Even though it’s now much less common, chickenpox hasn’t disappeared altogether—especially in people who haven’t been vaccinated. CDC still found 150.000 cases and around 30 deaths every year caused by this disease.
Who Can Get Chickenpox Today?
Anyone who hasn’t had chickenpox or received the vaccine can still catch the virus. It’s most common in children aged 3 to 6, but adults can get it too, and usually have more severe symptoms.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, unvaccinated adults are more likely to develop complications such as pneumonia or liver problems.
How Does This Disease Spread?
This disease spreads very easily. A child (or adult) can pass the virus 1–2 days before the rash appears and until all the blisters have crusted over. It can spread through sneezing or coughing, touching the rash or fluid from blisters, or sharing items like towels, toys, or utensils.
Once you’ve had chickenpox, your body develops immunity. That means you won’t get it again. However, the virus remains in your body and becomes ‘dormant’, potentially reactivating later in life as shingles or herpes zoster.
Chickenpox Symptoms to Watch For
Chickenpox symptoms usually come in a particular order. A complete cycle from the first bump to the last scab usually takes 7 to 10 days.
The symptoms start with mild fever, tiredness, or headache, followed by loss of appetite, red, itchy bumps that turn into fluid-filled blisters, blisters that burst, crust, and scab over.
Also, skin that appears blotchy or patchy, the rash often starts on the face and trunk, then spreads to the arms, legs, and even inside the mouth.
Is Chickenpox Dangerous?
For most healthy children, chickenpox is mild and manageable. But it’s not always harmless.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC, complications may include skin infections, pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), dehydration, and blood clotting issues.
People most at risk of serious complications include pregnant women who haven’t had the disease, newborns (especially if the mother isn’t immune), adults over 18, and immunocompromised individuals (e.g., those with cancer or HIV)
How to Prevent Chickenpox
The best defense is simple: get vaccinated. The CDC recommends two doses of the varicella vaccine, usually given to children at ages 12–15 months and again at 4–6 years.
The vaccine is about 90% effective. And even if you get chickenpox after being vaccinated, symptoms tend to be very mild—a few bumps, little or no fever, and fast recovery.
Chickenpox might seem like a childhood inconvenience, but it’s a severe disease that can still cause complications, especially in adults. So, the only thing you could do is stay healthy and get vaccinated.
