Chickenpox Vaccine – VARICELLA

The chickenpox vaccine is effective in preventing chickenpox. Varicella vaccine is included in the Hong Kong Childhood Immunization Schedule. Young children should receive two doses of chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It can be spread through respiratory droplets spread in the air by patients or through contact with vesicle fluid. Symptoms include fever and itchy rash. The rash gradually appears within about 5 days, and then turns into itchy, bean-shaped blisters.

It starts on the head and facial skin, and then spreads to the trunk and limbs, usually with the trunk being the most numerous. Small blisters will dry out and crust over in about 3 days. Patients usually recover naturally within 2 to 4 weeks.

In healthy children, most symptoms of chickenpox are mild. However, adults and people with weak immune systems may have more severe symptoms and complications, including skin inflammation, meningitis, encephalitis and pneumonia. If a pregnant woman is infected with chickenpox early in pregnancy, it may cause congenital defects in the fetus.