In the past, virtually all children suffered from chicken pox, but that is no longer true.  Today vaccinations against chicken pox are routine.

The symptoms of chicken pox include a very itchy rash, as well as possible headache, loss of appetite, and cough.  Liquid filled blisters (as seen in the picture above) will soon appear, which break, open, and eventually crust over.  Chicken pox is a highly contagious disease, even before the rash appears, and until all the blisters have broken and crusted over.  These blisters, especially if scratched, can cause scaring for life.

Usually chicken pox is a mild disease, but, for some, it can be extremely serious, causing pneumonia, and in rare cases brain damage, and death.  Those for whom the disease is most dangerous include the very young,  adults, pregnant woman, and those who have a compromised immune system.  Pregnant woman who contract chicken pox are at risk for delivering infants with birth defects.

Anyone who has ever had chicken pox will have the virus remaining in their nerve cells for life.  The virus may reactivate in later life and cause a condition called shingles.

Shingles appears as a very painful rash (with or without blisters) which can result is a neuralgia or severe, stabbing pain, that remains after the shingles have disappeared.  This postherpetic neuralgia is very difficult to treat.  There may also be some residual numbness.  There is a vaccine for shingles which can be administered to those over sixty years of age who have already had the condition once.

It is always possible to contract small pox after being vaccinated, but if this happens the symptoms are usually very mild and the recovery rapid.  The only way in which to prevent chicken pox is to be vaccinated.  The vaccination is considered both effective and safe.  Any side affects are rare and may include slight redness, soreness, or swelling at the site.  Some individuals have reported other side-affects but these are so rare that it is not clear what the actual cause of these of these problems could be.

If you suspect that you or a member of your family may have chicken pox, see your family physician immediately.  He will decide on the best treatment.  This may include medications to lessen the severity and duration of the disease, and help prevent complications.  In severe cases, antiviral drugs may be administered.

Most infants should receive two doses of the vaccine, as should older children and adults who have never been vaccinated.

There are some people who should not be vaccinated for small pox.  These include pregnant woman, those who may have an allergic reaction to the vaccine as well as others.  Discuss this with your physician.  As chicken pox is so highly contagious, anyone with suspected symptoms should not be in proximity to pregnant woman and others at high risk.