Causes and development of Chickenpox (varicella)
The chickenpox (varicella) is an infectious disease that is caused by a virus. The chicken pox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). This virus belongs to the family of herpes viruses (Herpesviridae Latin). In addition to the chicken pox, the varicella-zoster virus reactivation in the shingles (herpes zoster cause).
The varicella-zoster virus is a known DNA virus, its genetic material is in the form of a double helix. The virus genome is located in a capsid (a protein shell) that is surrounded by a membrane. The diameter of the virus particle is about 150-200 nm affects the varicella-zoster virus after current knowledge only humans.
Chickenpox is highly contagious
The Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease. disease after exposure over 90 % of non-immunized persons. Especially in winter and in spring it comes to disease in our latitudes waves.
The transmission of the virus is usually by droplet infection: secretions from the respiratory tracts of infected people go when coughing or speaking into the air and be handed on. By breathing it into the body and can cause chickenpox. In addition, the contents of the bubbles generated on the skin, infectious. The transfer of the pathogen is therefore also smear infection.
In rare cases, the varicella-zoster virus can also be transmitted from mother to unborn child (so-called placental transfer). The mother becomes ill, between 5th and 24 Week of pregnancy, this can lead to so-called fetal varicella syndrome that can cause severe birth defects or miscarriage after themselves. Even when a disease of the pregnant women about to give birth risk to the child.
The contagiousness of chickenpox begins about one to two days before the characteristic skin rash shows. About five days to a week after the rash has subsided, no risk of infection exists. The incubation period, ie the time from infection to onset of symptoms, is at the chicken pox is usually 14-16 days, however, are also possible 8-28 days.
tantric massage london