Chickenpox
(Varicella)
•Chickenpox is caused by the Herpes Varicella virus. It has a 7 to 21 day incubation period and begins with a cough and sniffles. The pox then erupt on the head and chest and then in crops out to the arms and legs. The pox itch and hurt. If infected or scratched they
can scar. Rarely, internal organs
can be affected (lungs, brain, heart, liver). It is very dangerous in pregnancy, often causing pneumonia. Getting chicken pox gives lifelong immunity, but can lead to Herpes Zoster – shingles – later in life, a reactivation of the dormant virus.