Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which belongs to the herpesvirus family. While it most commonly affects children, it can also occur in adults who have not previously had the disease or been vaccinated. The typical duration of chickenpox is around 1 to 2 weeks.

Symptoms:
The most characteristic symptom of chickenpox is a skin rash that typically starts as small red spots, develops into fluid-filled blisters, and then forms scabs. Other common symptoms include:

• Fever.
• Headache.
• Fatigue or general malaise.
• Loss of appetite.

These symptoms appear 10 to 21 days after exposure to the virus. The rash is usually more concentrated on the torso, face, and scalp but can spread to other parts of the body, including the mucous membranes.

Prevention:
Chickenpox can be effectively prevented with a safe and widely recommended vaccine. Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of infection and minimizes the chance of severe complications, such as:

• Bacterial skin infections.
• Pneumonia.
• Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

The vaccine prevents up to 80% of chickenpox cases, and in cases where the disease occurs, symptoms are typically milder.

Why get vaccinated?
In addition to protecting against the initial infection, the chickenpox vaccine reduces the risk of developing shingles later in life. Shingles is a condition that can arise from the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus at a later stage.

Conclusion:
Chickenpox is a common but preventable disease. Consulting a doctor about vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those around you, especially babies, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.