Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)

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Chickenpox (Varicella) is a mild disease. The cause of it is the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). The reservoir is a human being. The infection is transmitted from person to person through direct and indirect contacts with the sources of infection: respiratory tract secretions of an person infected with Varicella and skin lesions. Direct contact occurs when a healthy person breathes in the air with the tiny virus particles, talks with an infected person, touches the respiratory tract secretions of a sick person such as saliva and mucus, or touches the blisters on the skin. The droplet (airborne) spread of the virus can be transmitted through the air by cough and sneeze. The Indirect contact occurs when a healthy person touches the soiled items …show more content…
The virus can be spread up to 48 hours before the onset of rash, and the person remains contagious until all lesions are crusted. Even this disease is not harmful, to people with high risks, who have not had the disease or have never had Varicella vaccine, who is immune suppressed or takes steroid medications, Chickenpox is highly contagious and might cause complications, or even death. The complications of chickenpox may include the bacterial superinfection of the skin, soft tissues, bones, and joints, caused by group A streptococcus. The infection may end with sepsis, which is life-threatening. Other complications of Chickenpox are dehydration and pneumonia with lung scarring, impairing oxygen exchange. When the virus enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain, it causes the inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis and cerebellar ataxia are very dangerous, and may cause coma or death. Very rare complication is bleeding problems, causing stroke. Chickenpox may cause Reye's syndrome with dangerous brain and liver damage for children, taking aspirin. Chickenpox may affect pregnant women, resulting in low-birth weight of a new-born and limb

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