Information about Chicken Pox (Varicella)

This highly infectious disease produces a rash around 5 days after exposure to water-borne droplets. This was once an extremely common disease for which immunization has been extremely effective. The disease produces an extremely itchy scabby rash accompanied by sore throat and fever. Although most children who contract chicken pox come away with nothing more than a few pock scars, for children with compromised immune systems this disease can be a death sentence. In addition permanent brain and lung damage is possible in affected adults.

Reaction to the immunization is usually mild, with a small rash.