COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT CHICKEN POX ANSWERED BY HARVARD HEALTH PUBLISHING.
What are the causes and complications of chicken pox?
Answered by Dr. Howard E. Lewine
M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 40 years of experience · USA
Chickenpox is an infection that causes an itchy, blistering rash and is very contagious, meaning it is spread easily from one person to another. It is caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which enters the body through the mouth and nose after contact with an infected person. Rare complications of chickenpox include pneumonia, encephalitis, and hepatitis. After a person has chickenpox, the virus typically lives silently in the nervous system of the body for the rest of a person’s life. It may reactivate (come to life again) in the future and cause a condition called herpes zoster, commonly known a shingles.
Can I get chickenpox if I have never had it?
Answered by Dr. Howard E. Lewine
M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 40 years of experience · USA
You definitely could get chickenpox at any age if you never had chickenpox when you were younger. But many older people had chickenpox without knowing or remembering they had it, and they would be protected against the infection. If you received the chickenpox vaccine, then you will most likely be protected against having it.
→ Learn more about chicken pox: See the causes, symptoms, treatment options and more.
→ See more questions and expert answers related to chicken pox.
How can chicken pox be prevented?
Answered by Dr. Howard E. Lewine
M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 40 years of experience · USA
Chickenpox once was considered to be an unavoidable childhood illness, meaning everyone would get it. However, since the varicella vaccine was licensed, this disease can be prevented easily by timely vaccination.
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Disclaimer: This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors, and not to be considered as opinion of Microsoft. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns.
2024-05-07T15:07:39Z dg43tfdfdgfd