[ad_1]
The image shows rashes caused by chickenpox infection in an unvaccinated person. The degree of rash onset is significantly lower in the vaccinated individuals. ( CDC )
It is advisable for dozens of students and staff at a Washington school to stay out of the way in case of chicken pox outbreak.
What are the important things to know about chickenpox and varicella vaccination?
Chickenpox outbreak
In an elementary school in southwestern Washington, dozens of students and staff members were invited to stand apart from school premises for several weeks due to 39, an epidemic of chicken pox. According to the Clark County Public Health Department, it is mostly school staff as well as children without immunization and varicella immunity who have to stay at home for about three weeks starting Monday. It's according to a letter that was sent to parents last Thursday.
Until now, it has been confirmed that five people had chickenpox and 38 students should be removed from school due to the epidemic. However, those who can be vaccinated before the three weeks can return to school upon presentation of evidence of immunity.
Chickenpox is very contagious
Varicella is caused by varicella zoster virus and is characterized by fever, fatigue, itching, and bulb-like rash. Its characteristic rashes often start in the stomach, back and face, and can then spread to other parts of the body, leaving the patient with about 250 to 500 itchy blisters.
It is a very contagious disease that can easily be transmitted from the patient to anyone who has not yet contracted it, or to any unvaccinated person. In fact, a person can spread the disease until one or two days before the onset of rashes and until everything is gone or has formed crusts.
Transmission is often mediated by droplets when the infected person speaks, and simply by touching to breathe the vesicle virus. After exposure, it takes up to two weeks before the person gets chickenpox.
It should be noted that even vaccinated persons can still transmit the disease to others or catch the disease, but with much less severe symptoms.
Immunity
For most people, catching chickenpox once provides the immunity they need for their entire life. This means that a person who has already had chickenpox in the past is unlikely to contract it again. However, some people can still get chickenpox even after having had it, although it is much less common.
However, chickenpox can be serious and life-threatening, especially in infants, adolescents, some adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. In fact, in 2012, a 4-year-old girl with leukemia died of chickenpox due to a deficiency in her immune system.
As such, it is important for children and adults to be vaccinated against chickenpox, to prevent or even slow the spread of the disease to community members, especially the most vulnerable.
Ⓒ 2018 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
[ad_2]
Source link
