How to prevent chickenpox you need to know

Chicken pox is a disease that can be transmitted easily and quickly. Chickenpox generally affects children under 10 years of age. However, it is possible that adults can also get chickenpox. To prevent this disease, you need to know how the virus that causes chickenpox is transmitted. Prevention of chickenpox also needs to be done for those of you who are infected so you don't spread chickenpox to other people.

Various ways of transmission of chickenpox

The cause of chickenpox is infection with the varicella-zoster virus which belongs to the herpes virus group. Chickenpox transmission occurs when varicella-zoster passes from the body of an infected person to another person who has not been infected.

The period of transmission of this virus can even begin before the smallpox boil appears. You may have thought that touching chickenpox is the only way to catch it. However, the transmission of chickenpox is not only through direct physical contact with sufferers.

Knowing every mode of transmission and the media for spreading the chickenpox virus can make you more alert so as to prevent the dangers of this disease. See in more detail how chicken pox can be transmitted from one person to another.

1. Transmission through mucus droplets

Even though the symptoms of chickenpox, which is a skin rash, have not appeared, an infected person can still transmit chickenpox. A person who is infected with chickenpox can transmit the disease 1-2 days before the appearance of the skin rash in the form of red spots.

During this time, an infected person will usually experience initial symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle or joint pain.

This condition is included in the initial transmission period of chickenpox, which is characterized by viral infection in the respiratory tract. The mode of transmission of chickenpox in the early days of infection generally occurs when you are exposed to mucus droplets.

The mucosa or mucus produced in the respiratory tract can be a transmission medium for chickenpox because it contains the varicella zoster virus. The mucus will be expelled in droplets when an infected person coughs, cleans, or even breathes.

2. Direct contact with smallpox sticky

Having regular and close contact with a person infected with chickenpox is at risk of being a mode of transmission of this disease.

In the book Deadly Disease and Epidemics: Chickenpo x, a child who lives in the house with an infected person has a 70-90 percent risk of being infected. This is caused by frequent short contact, including by touching the chipped chickenpox boil.

The symptom phase when the rash on the skin turns into vesicles or resilience is the most dangerous period of transmission. This is because resilience is very susceptible to breaking due to frequent scratching or rubbing against the surface of objects.

When the chickenpox resilience breaks, it will secrete a fluid containing dead white blood cells and the varicella-zoster virus. Chickenpox transmission occurs when accidentally or intentionally touching this broken part of the elastic.

According to the CDC, the period of transmission of chickenpox through the elastic can continue until the boil dries and peels off. Transmission is still possible if no new appearance of chickenpox rash is found within 24 hours.

The more often you come into close contact with an infected person, the more likely you are to be exposed to the virus. The more viruses that infect, the symptoms of chickenpox that appear will get worse.

3. Transmission from people who have shingles (shingles)

One mode of transmission that is often not being watched out for is the transmission of the virus from a person who has shingles (herpes zoster). This disease is often thought to be caused by a different viral infection.

Whereas herpes zoster is a disease with symptoms similar to chickenpox caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. This means that herpes zoster comes from people who have been infected with chickenpox.

Although caused by the same virus, the spread of this disease is not as fast and easy as chickenpox. The mode of transmission of chickenpox from an infected person with shingles does not occur through airborne droplets, but you can get it through direct contact.

Shingles usually appears after decades of having had shingles, reactivation of the varicella zoster virus most commonly occurs in seniors over 60 years of age. Therefore, it is best if you avoid direct contact with parents who show signs of shingles.

4. Mode of transmission of chickenpox from contaminated objects

The chickenpox virus can also stick to objects that an infected person frequently uses or touches.

Although it is not as common as other modes of transmission, there is a chance that the transmission of the chickenpox virus through this form of transmission is possible. Items that are usually susceptible to contamination are clothing, cutlery and toys.

Therefore, you should avoid using items with sufferers at the same time. Items that have the potential to be exposed to the virus also need to be cleaned regularly with a disinfectant detergent that is effective at eradicating pathogenic germs.

Can you get chickenpox again for the second time?

In general, people who have recovered from chickenpox will have immunity to varicella-zoster virus infection throughout their life. In other words, you are likely not going to get chickenpox a second time even if you catch the virus again.

However, the second transmission of chickenpox can lead to re-infection. Although this case is very, very rare, especially in people who have been vaccinated.

One of these cases was analyzed in a 2015 study entitled Reinfection of Varicella Zoster . This case shows the re-infection of chickenpox in an adult (19 years) who contracted smallpox at the age of 5 years and who was vaccinated when he was 15 years old.

It is not certain what causes the re-infection to take place. The suspicion leads to a genetic mutation of the virus, but still requires further, more comprehensive research to prove it.

Of the other reinfection cases, there are several conditions that allow a person to come back with chickenpox even though they have been previously infected:

• Being infected with chickenpox when he was very young, especially when he was less than 6 months old.
• When you first get smallpox, you only have mild symptoms or even go undetected due to the infection that lasted a short time at the beginning (subclinical).
• Having a disorder in the immune system.

The possibility of reappearing symptoms actually could happen, but not because the chickenpox virus was contagious for the second time.

The typical symptom of chickenpox such as a reddish rash that changes to resilience can reappear as a result of reactivation of the virus varicella-zoster in the body.

After you recover, the chickenpox virus doesn't actually go away completely. The virus remains in the body, but is in a "sleep" state or is not actively infecting (dormant). The chickenpox virus which is active again will cause shingles or shingles.

The cause of viral reactivation in the case of shingles is actually not known with certainty, but it is known to be related to the condition of the body's weak immune system due to certain diseases or medications.

How to prevent chicken pox

So far, the most effective way to prevent chickenpox is through the smallpox vaccine. Experts from the CDC state that chickenpox immunization is very safe and effective in providing complete protection from chickenpox virus infection in children.

Vaccination as a means of preventing chickenpox is recommended for all children under 13 years of age and adults who have never had chickenpox.

Children and adults will be given two separate immunization doses. For children, the first dose is given when the child is around 12 to 18 months of age. The second dose is given when the child is 4 to 6 years old.

As for adults, the second dose can be given within 4 to 8 weeks after the first dose is given.

Apart from vaccination, there are various other things that can be done as a way to prevent chickenpox. If someone in your household has chickenpox, you can prevent it by:

• Avoid direct contact or being in close proximity to infected people.
• Always wear a mask when interacting with family members who have smallpox.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap, especially after contact with people who have chickenpox.
• Temporarily not share personal items (towels, clothes, or combs) and sleep in the same room as someone who has smallpox.
• Remove the clothes or sheets of the person who has smallpox when they are washed.
• Immediately wipe objects or surfaces that have been in direct contact with a person who has smallpox using an antiseptic solution.
• If you realize you have had the chickenpox virus, consult a doctor immediately to get a vaccine that prevents this disease as soon as possible.

Prevent transmission of the chickenpox virus to other people

Meanwhile, if you or your child has chickenpox, try to do some of these simple ways to prevent spreading chickenpox to other people:

• Undergo chickenpox treatment as recommended by your doctor. If home remedies are not effective at relieving symptoms, your doctor may order antiviral drugs such as acyclovir to reduce infection and relieve itching.
• Avoid direct contact with people who have not been infected, including in the same room.
• Do not go to public places such as schools, offices, or shopping centers before you have fully recovered.
• Comply with various chickenpox restrictions. One way is not to scratch the itchy skin so as not to leave smallpox marks. These sores can then cause infection by bacteria that enter the skin.
• Perform self-isolation during illness until fully healed.

By knowing the transmission process and how to prevent chickenpox, you can be more careful from the threat of this infectious disease. Don't hesitate to consult a doctor if you experience certain symptoms after interacting with sufferers.