Chicken+Pox

= Chicken Pox (Varicella Zoster) =

__ **Description of virus that causes the disease.** __
-- Varicella Zoster Virus - Human Herpesvirus-3 (HHV-3). - Type: - DNA Virus. - Single, linear, double-stranded molecule. - Of The Herpes Family. - 10-20% of the time it has infected someone, it reactivates later in life in the form of Shingles.

__**Viral Specificity:**__
- Red Bumps form on the epidermis, usually less then 1/4 inch in diameter. - Bumps are itchy, irritating. - Affect adults with more strength than children (The younger you are the less affect it will have on your body) - Chicken pox has been observed in other primates such as chimpanzees and gorillas.

__**Symptoms and progression of the disease:**__ - The main symptoms are red, itchy bumps on the epidermis. - Symptoms usually start 10-21 days after being infected with the virus. - Bumps dry up 8-10 days later (no longer contagious), form a scab which falls off 1-2 weeks later with little/no scarring. - Bumps start to appear on head, arms,and legs, but mostly on the torso. - Progresses to all parts of the body over the next few days. - Headache: Usually only during the contagious stage of the virus (when bumps are still red). - Nausea: In the early stages of contagiousness. - Myalgia (Muscle Pain). - Anorexia: Will not occur in most cases but has been linked to Chicken Pox. - Malaise: General Discomfort or Feeling Different than usual. - Fever: Anywhere from 38C-42C or 100F-108F (degrees). __Incubation period__ - 1 to 5 days prior to symptoms it is contagious. - It is also contagious until ALL blisters are dried and have formed scabs. __Major Complications:__ - May cause Pneumonia (inflammatory condition of the lung) & encephalitis (acute inflammation of the brain).
 * Other symptoms are:**

__Possible Complications for Pregnant Women or Newborn Children:__
-Skin Disorders. -Damage to Cervix & Spinal Cord. -Damage to the eye. -Damage to the brain.

__**Common Methods of Transmission:**__
- Coughing & Sneezing. - Any physical contact with someone who is infected. - Rarely, someone can get chicken pox from someone with shingles.

__**Treatment and Prevention (if any):**__
- through a vaccine that: was made in 1974 by Michiaki Takahashi but was only available to North America in 1995 was deviated from the Oka Strain - Washing hands daily. - Short nails (to prevent cuts to skin). __Natural__: - Pea Water w/ vinegar - Baking Soda - Vitamin E Oil - Honey - Herbal Tea - Carrot and Coriander - Stay away from heat and sweat as it makes symptoms more irritating __Non-natural:__ - Lotions - Anti-itch creams
 * Prevention:**
 * Treatments:**

( Historical background if pertinent. Any unusual or interesting info? ) -Chicken pox has nothing to do with chickens, but there are several interesting ideas about how the name originated: The blisters caused by chicken pox were once thought to look like chick peas, because of their similar size. The rash looks like peck marks from a chicken. Chicken pox was just a "wimpier version" of smallpox so they called it "chicken" pox.
 * Miscellaneous:**

__**Resources accessed:**__
no given author title:chicken pox []

Steven Dowshen MD Title: About Chicken Pox November 2009 []

John Mersch MD Title: ChickenPox June 4, 2008 []

no given author Title: Varicella Zoster Virus []

no given author Title: Chicken Pox []