Chicken pox is a highly contagious virus caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is a member of the herpes virus family. It is spread through contact with an infected person’s saliva, nasal secretions, or blisters.
Once exposed to the virus, it typically takes between 10 and 21 days for a person to develop chicken pox. Initially, the infected person may experience a fever, headache, sore throat, and general feeling of fatigue. After a few days, they may experience an itchy rash or small blisters on the face, scalp, chest, back, arms, and legs. The blisters may later become scabs.
In addition to the rash, the patient may experience other symptoms, such as aching muscles, abdominal pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. Some people may also experience a secondary bacterial infection, resulting in swelling of the lymph nodes, fever, and headache.
The virus is highly contagious, and can spread through contact with an infected person’s saliva, nasal secretions, or blisters. It is also possible to contract the virus through direct contact with a contaminated object, such as a towel or bedding. The virus can also be spread through the air, by coughing or sneezing.
Once a person contracts the virus, it is very hard to prevent it from spreading. It is important to keep the infected person isolated, and to frequently wash hands and surfaces with warm water and soap. It is also important to avoid contact with people who are not vaccinated against the virus.