Table of contents:
- Varicella zoster, the virus that causes chicken pox
- Secondary infection with varicella zoster causes shingles
- Risk factors for chickenpox
- 1. Never been infected and not vaccinated
- 2. Have a weak immune system
- 3. Newborns of infected mothers
Chickenpox is a contagious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. Transmission of this virus can occur through close contact with sufferers. The infection can indeed be prevented with the varicella vaccine. However, there are still many cases of chickenpox among children. Even so, adults who have certain risk factors can also become infected. Therefore, it is important for you to know about the causes of chicken pox.
Varicella zoster, the virus that causes chicken pox
Varicella zoster (VZV) is an alphaherpesvirus group, which is still included in the herpes virus family. Viruses that can cause sexually transmitted diseases, such as genital herpes and oral herpes.
Varicella zoster can only infect humans. This means that you can only catch this skin disease from other people who are infected. The virus that causes chickenpox cannot be transmitted from wild or domestic animals.
When it enters the human body, varicella zoster will invade healthy cells as its host to multiply. However, varicella zoster infection does not occur immediately after entering the body.
According to the CDC, the virus that causes chickenpox will first go through an incubation period of 10-21 days. After actively infecting, the immune system will react to fight the virus.
This immune system response causes early symptoms, such as fever, weakness, and joint and muscle pain. The main symptom of chickenpox, namely smallpox or elastic spots, will appear 1-2 days after that.
This virus can spread quickly. The most common transmission of the chickenpox virus is by touching the skin of the sufferer. Another way is to breathe air containing a virus contaminated from a broken resilient fluid.
The period of transmission of the virus that causes chickenpox starts from the first time you experience initial symptoms. This period and the time when a new spring is formed is a time when chickenpox is very contagious.
Secondary infection with varicella zoster causes shingles
Chickenpox is a disease self-limiting disease . Varicella zoster infection will stop within about 7-10 days from the first appearance of smallpox. This means that the symptoms of resilience will begin to dry out and heal on their own within that time.
In the book entitled Varicella Zoster published by StartPearls Publishing, the virus that causes chickenpox will then move from skin cells to nerve cells to remain permanently in the body. This virus is dormant or no longer actively infecting (sleeping). The immune system also helps prevent re-activation of the virus.
However, the virus that causes chickenpox can reactivate and cause secondary infection. A re-active varicella zoster infection can cause shingles or shingles.
As with chicken pox, the symptoms of shingles also cause itchy and sore bumps, but have a different spread pattern. However, shingles can cause more severe symptoms, including pain in the nerves.
Varicella zoster secondary infection is more at risk of causing complications such as nerve damage postherpetic neuralgia and stroke. Shingles treatment is needed to prevent complications from occurring.
Risk factors for chickenpox
Chickenpox can indeed be experienced by children and adults. However, some people are at a higher risk of becoming infected because of certain conditions or factors.
Some of the risk factors that can cause you to get chickenpox include:
1. Never been infected and not vaccinated
Anyone who has never had chickenpox and who has not had the varicella vaccine is most at risk of becoming infected.
The vast majority of cases, including in adults, show that people who have never had chickenpox and who have not been vaccinated are likely to get sick after being exposed to the virus that causes chickenpox.
According to the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases, first-time chickenpox infection in adults tends to cause more severe symptoms than the symptoms of chickenpox in children.
Therefore, chickenpox vaccination is highly recommended for children and adults to prevent chickenpox and stop the spread of the disease.
2. Have a weak immune system
Adults or children who have diseases that attack the immune system, such as autoimmunity, cancer, or HIV / AIDS, are at risk for getting chickenpox. Likewise with those who undergo long-term chemotherapy and steroid treatment.
Apart from being at risk of getting chickenpox, a weak immune condition can also trigger shingles. Weak immunity can make the dormant virus that causes chickenpox to infect again.
3. Newborns of infected mothers
Mothers who are infected with chickenpox or shingles can transmit the virus to their babies between 5 days before birth and 2 days after birth. Newborns who are infected are also at increased risk of complications.
For those of you who have risk factors for chickenpox, you should immediately get varicella vaccination and avoid transmission from the closest infected person. Pregnant women who are infected need to consult a doctor to ensure the safety of themselves and their babies.
