What Is Varicella? | What Is the Varicella Vaccine? | Who Should
Get Vaccinated and When? | What Are the Risks Associated With
the Varicella Vaccine? | Who Should Not Get Vaccinated? | What
Other Ways Can Varicella Be Prevented Besides Vaccination? |
What Happens in the Event of an Outbreak? What Is Varicella? ,
commonly called chickenpox, is a highly contagious infection. It
is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). It produces an
itchy rash. It can cause serious complications, especially in
adults, newborns, or people with weak immune systems. VZV
spreads from person to person by: - Airborne droplets of
moisture that contain the virus - Direct contact with fluid from
a varicella rash It is most contagious just after the rash has
broken out. It is also contagious 1-2 days before the rash
erupts and until all of the blisters have crusted. - General
feeling of discomfort - A rash of small, flat, red spots that
become raised to form round, itchy, fluid-filled blisters It
takes about 10-21 days to develop v