Chicken pox and varicella are related viruses: both are members of the herpes family.
Like other forms of herpes, varicella may remain latent for many years. When the virus becomes active it manifests itself as herpes zoster, better known as shingles.
Chicken pox is more easily handled during childhood. When contracted by adults serious symptoms are manifested including high fever, painful lesions and the general feeling of a severe cold.
Varicella, better known as shingles, is a painful infection. In most cases symptoms include a rash or lesions.
Chicken pox and varicella or shingles, are contagious viruses that are easily contracted through close contact with an infected person. Try to avoid exposure to an infected person if you are sure that you have never had chickenpox or varicella.
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Previous experience with chickenpox does not guarantee immunity. With the passage of time, usually in excess of twenty five years, the antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. developed against the virus lose their effectiveness. In very rare instances the infection may be contracted a second time.
Shingles during pregnancy can be extremely painful, and lead to breathing difficulties in the mother. Concern about chicken pox during pregnancy stems from the fact that contraction any time before week sixteen may lead to an increased incidence of birth defects, estimated between two and five percent (1 in 20 - 50). A case of chicken pox after this is relatively safe for the baby, but in rare cases the mother may develop a lung infection or pneumonia. Exposure to chicken pox during the week before delivery may result in the newborn having chicken pox.
If you have come into contact with a person who has chicken pox, and you are sure that you are not immune, your doctor will recommend that you receive an injection of varicella-zoster immune globulin (VZIG), within four days of exposure to an infected person. Varicella-zoster immune globulin will not reduce the risk of congenital malformations, but it will reduce the severity of the infection. Acyclovir, a herpes medication marketed as Zovirax
If there is concern that your baby might have contracted chickenpox near term, an injection of varicella-zoster immune globulin (VSIG) will be administered after delivery.
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