More than 95 percent of American adults have had chickenpox and about 4,000,000 people get chickenpox every year. Since the chickenpox vaccine was introduced in 1995, less and less children are getting the disease.
Some people who have been vaccinated against chickenpox can still get the disease. However, they usually have milder symptoms with fewer or no blisters (or just red spots), a mild or no fever, and are sick for a shorter period of time than people who are not vaccinated.
The annual average rate for chickenpox was 1.6 cases per 1,000 consultations per week. There has been an average of 3-4 deaths each year since 1980.
Chickenpox is a viral infection in which a person develops very itchy blisters all over the body. It was more common in the past. The illness is rare today because of the chickenpox vaccine.
Varicella outbreaks continue to occur even in settings such as schools where most children are vaccinated. However, there have been fewer outbreaks reported since the two-dose varicella vaccination program started in the United States.
Since the chickenpox vaccine was added to the NIP, there have been far fewer hospitalisations and deaths due to chickenpox in Australia. Immunisation prevents most cases of chickenpox and reduces the chance of serious illness and complications.
The number of varicella cases reported in May 2023 increased from the previous month and was above the previous 5-year average. Due to robust vaccination programs, there is no longer discernable seasonality for varicella cases in the United States of America.
Some people who have been vaccinated against chickenpox can still get the disease, called breakthrough chickenpox. However, they usually have milder symptoms with fewer or no blisters (or just red spots), a mild or no fever, and are sick for a shorter period of time than people who are not vaccinated.
The chickenpox spots look the same on children and adults. But adults usually have a high temperature for longer and more spots than children. It's possible to get chickenpox more than once, but it's unusual.
A chickenpox vaccination is given to children aged 18 months as part of their normal schedule of vaccinations. It is very effective, has few side effects and is free in Australia. A second dose of the chickenpox vaccine (booster) can be given to further increase protection.
Most people who are vaccinated with 2 doses of varicella vaccine will be protected for life.
Varicella vaccine is recommended for all non-immune adolescents aged ≥14 years and adults.
The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccine. Everyone—including children, adolescents, and adults—should get two doses of chickenpox vaccine if they have never had chickenpox or were never vaccinated. Chickenpox vaccine is very safe and effective at preventing the disease.
Shingles is very contagious. You can catch chickenpox from someone with shingles through contact with their secretions or their skin rash. You cannot get shingles from someone with chickenpox.
The virus is spread through direct contact with the rash or through breathing in virus particles that get mixed in the air. The rash often lasts 7-10 days. Once the rash has developed crusts, which can take 2-4 weeks, the person is no longer contagious.
If you are around someone with shingles, the risk of getting the virus is fairly low as long as the rash is covered. If you have a guest in your home with a rash, you can politely ask them to keep it covered to prevent the spread of the virus.
Mpox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later. A person with mpox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
You can't give shingles to other people. But, other people can catch chickenpox from you if they haven't had it before. If you have shingles, you're contagious until the last blister has dried and scabbed over.
Shingles in children is not common. The symptoms start with pain, burning, tingling or itching on one part of the face or body. The virus can then cause a red rash or small blisters, usually on one side of the body.
The varicella vaccine is given as a shot when kids are between 12 and 15 months old. They get a booster shot for further protection at 4 to 6 years of age.
Mpox and chickenpox are different, unrelated types of viruses. Mpox is an orthopoxvirus. It is related to variola, the orthopoxvirus that causes smallpox. Common symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and headaches, although these symptoms may not always occur.
If you don't get chickenpox, you won't get shingles, a painful condition that happens because the virus that causes chickenpox stays in your body long after the rash is gone. While there are home remedies to deal with chickenpox and shingles symptoms, vaccination makes that unnecessary.
Any child or adult who has never had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it is at risk for getting the disease. Chickenpox is passed from person-to-person by direct contact or through the air by coughing and sneezing. It can also be spread by being exposed to the fluid from the blistering rash.