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ChickenpoxIt is an acute febrile illness caused by

Varicella-Zoster virus. It is characterizedby variable constitutional symptoms andcharacteristic skin rash and sudden onset.

The skin rash starts as maculopapular andchanges to vesicular in due course of thedisease.

It is distributed mainly on the trunk(centripetal) and polymorphic( more than

one type of rash exist at any time).

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The importance of chickenpox lies in two

points:1. Its differentiation from smallpox, which

was common and serious disease.

2. The complications: Atypical

pneumonia in adults and encephalitisin children. Neonates of nonimmunemothers are at special risk ofcomplication when they contractinfection during or within few days of

delivery. The same is true for thosewith leukaemia and those oncorticosteroids.

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Reservoir: Man

Incubation period: 2-3 weeks

Mode of transmission: Direct

contact, droplet infection orindirectly through freshly

contaminated articles.

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Period of communicability: From

5 days before the appearance of

rash till 6 days after the

appearance of the last crop ofrash.

Susceptibility: General. Natural

infection is followed by life-longimmunity.

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Prevention: No specificpreventive measure is

available.

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Control:

1. Notification to health authorities.

2. Isolation and concurrentdisinfection.

3. Immuniglobulins with 4 days ofexposure are of value in people oncorticosteroids and neonates of

non-immune mothers4. Exclude smallpox through carefuldifferentiation as follows:

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ChickenpoxSmallpoxCharacteristicProdromal symptoms severe Mild until just

for 2-4 days before rash before rash

Skin rash

Type One crop and appears Several crops over Within 1-2 days several days

Distribution Same stage and centrifugal Polymorphic and

centripetal

Individual lesions -Axilla spared Axilla involved

-Palms and soles Palms and soles

Involved spared oftenly

-Circular Oval

-Deep Superficial

- Vesicle are mutilocular Vesicles are unilocula

Scar Depressed Superficial