Chickenpox

Alternative names:

varicella

Prevention:

Varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) may modify the severity of the disease, or prevent the disease if given within 96 hours after exposure to the virus. In general, this is reserved for high-risk individuals because the disease usually is benign. High risk individuals are those with no past history of chickenpox and who have a condition (such as depressed immune system, chemotherapy, AIDS, leukemia, lymphoma or organ transplant) and have been exposed to chickenpox

Varicella vaccine is recommended between the ages of 12 and 18 months. (see immunization schedule) If a teenager is not known to have had Chicken pox, then blood can be drawn to see if he or she is susceptable to the disease, and if so the vaccine should be administered. Varicella vaccine has become a recommended childhood vaccine.