Chickenpox
Introduction Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness caused by primary infection with the varicella zoster virus, characterized by vesicular rash and fever. It is contagious from a few days before the onset of rash until all lesions have crusted over. Main route of transmission is through contact with infected persons via Inhalation of respiratory droplets and aerosols generated by skin lesions. Direct contact with droplets of vesicular fluid from skin lesions. Reinfection results in people suffering from shingles . Symptoms The incubation period is typically 2-3 weeks. Before the rash develops, the patient might experience up to 3 days of prodromal symptoms that could include fever, headache and sore throat. The rash typically begins on the face, stomach and back before spreading to other parts of the body. Initially, lesions appear as small red lumps that rapidly develop into vesicles, which curst over after 3-5 days. New lesions form for up to 1 week with the total number of ...