Varicella

WHAT IS VARICELLA?

It is caused by the varicella zoster virus. It occurs mainly in autumn and winter, and it is spread by inhalation of droplets of mucus and saliva breathed from the mouth and nose of infected people. The incubation period is 10 – 15 days. The incidence in Western European and North America is about 1,100 / 100,000.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The first symptom is fever for 3 to 5 with headache and abdominal pain. The vesicles appear first in the neck and upper body and can be extremely itchy. The patient is infectious till the last vesicle is crusted lasting 7 to 10 days but sometime it can take a few weeks.

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS?

Bacterial skin infection can occur as well as scaring when lesions are scratched strongly. Lung infection and brain infection are very rare. Varicella can be fetal in infants, immunocompromised persons and malnourished children.