Chickenpox

Childhood Skin Problems Slideshow

• Chickenpox Overview
• Chickenpox Causes
• Chickenpox Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Chickenpox Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Next Steps
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Pictures of Childhood Skin Problems - Slideshow
• Related chicken pox articles:
  Chicken pox - on WebMD
  Chickenpox (Varicella) - on MedicineNet

Chickenpox Overview

Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious and self-limited infection that most commonly affects children between 5-10 years of age. The disease has a worldwide distribution and is reported throughout the year in regions of temperate climate. The peak incident is generally during the months of March through May. Lifelong immunity for chickenpox generally follows the disease. If the patient's immune system does not totally clear the body of the virus, it may retreat to skin sensory nerve cell bodies where it is protected from the patient's immune system. The disease shingles (also known as "zoster") represents release of these viruses down the length of the skin nerve fiber and produces a characteristic painful rash. Shingles is most commonly a disease of adults.