Chickenpox and its Prevention

Chickenpox and its Prevention

   Most children with chickenpox completely recover. But it can be serious, even deadly, for babies, adolescents, adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Get vaccinated if you are not protected against chickenpox.

Chickenpox is a very contagious disease. You or your child may be at risk if you have never had chickenpox or have never been vaccinated. Chickenpox causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever. This can make you feel very sick and uncomfortable.

Classic chickenpox symptoms are:

•Red, itchy rash that usually starts on the face, chest, and back then spreads to the rest of the body

•Fluid-filled blisters, resulting from the rash, which break and crust over

Before there was a vaccine, chickenpox was common in the United States. Each year, about 4 million people got chickenpox. Between 10,500 and 13,000 people were hospitalized, and 100 to 150 people died because of chickenpox.

Chickenpox Vaccine:

•Children get the first dose of chickenpox vaccine at 12 through 15 months old and the second dose at age 4 through 6 years.

•People 13 years of age and older who are not immune (protected) to chickenpox or have never had the disease should get two doses of chickenpox vaccine at least 28 days apart.

If you or your child only got one dose in the past, check with your doctor about getting a second dose.

Chickenpox can cause:

•dehydration

•pneumonia

•bleeding problems

•brain infection or inflammation

•bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues in children including Group A streptococcal infections

•blood stream infections (sepsis)

•toxic shock syndrome

•bone infections

•joint infections

•death

Two doses of chickenpox vaccine are very effective at preventing severe disease, complications, and death. Although rare, you can still get chickenpox if you have been vaccinated, but the symptoms are usually not as severe. Chickenpox vaccine is safer than getting the disease. Make sure you and your children are protected.

Also, when you get vaccinated, you protect others in your community. This is especially important for people who cannot get vaccinated.