Every parent has heard about chickenpox. It is considered a mild childhood illness that only causes itchy blisters and fever. But did you know that this disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus can sometimes lead to severe long-term complications?
According to Dr Rajesh Murudkar, Child Specialist, Mumbai, a simple and effective way to ensure your child is protected from chickenpox is vaccination.
Here are some lesser-known facts about chickenpox that need to be kept in mind for its effective prevention:
- Vaccination lowers chickenpox incidence: Vaccination against chickenpox was introduced in India 25 years ago and is crucial for preventing its spread. Approximately 1.3 crore children in India are vaccinated against chickenpox. Some community-based studies show that with vaccination there has been a notable decrease in the disease burden of chickenpox, leading to fewer cases and hospitalizations. Early childhood vaccination efforts establish herd immunity, where a significant portion of the population becomes immune to a disease. This protects both vaccinated individuals and those unable to receive vaccination for medical reasons.
- Chickenpox virus likes cold weather: The peak season for chickenpox in India is late winter to early spring. This is because the chickenpox virus thrives in cooler temperatures. In the colder parts of the country, indoor crowding during colder months and poor ventilation can possibly increase the risk of chickenpox transmission. Vaccination against chickenpox significantly reduces the chance of contracting the infection. This breaks the chain of transmission and can prevent outbreaks. viii
- Chickenpox can affect other parts of the body beyond the skin: Chickenpox can cause serious complications such as bacterial skin infections that can lead to high-grade fever, severe pain, and scarring from blisters. It can sometimes also cause life-threatening complications such as pneumonia and brain damage. Vaccination significantly lowers these risks.
- Chickenpox virus can lie dormant in your body for years: Even after a person has recovered from chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in nerve cells. It can reactivate later in life as shingles when the immune system weakens due to age or co-morbid conditions such as diabetes. Shingles is characterized by a severe painful rash and nerve pain that can last for months or years. Vaccination against chickenpox not only prevents the initial infection but can possibly lower the risk of shingles by enhancing immunity against the varicella-zoster virus over time.
- Adults can get chickenpox too, and more severely than children: Contrary to common belief, chickenpox does not affect only children. Adults who have neither been vaccinated nor previously infected can also get infected by chickenpox. In adults, this disease shows more severe symptoms such as intense flu-like illness and widespread blisters and also increased risk of complications such as pneumonia, and inflammation of the brain or encephalitis. Vaccination substantially mitigates both the severity of illness and the likelihood of complications associated with chickenpox.
“Consult your healthcare provider today about chickenpox vaccination for yourself and your children. If you’re an adult who hasn’t been vaccinated, schedule your appointment promptly to prevent future complications,” Dr. Murudkar told Financial Express.com.