Chickenpox, also known as Varicella, is a highly infectious viral disease to people who haven’t had the disease or been vaccinated against it. Most children in the UK have the disease before the age of 10. After a Chickenpox infection the virus stays dormant in the body and may reactivate at a later date, causing Shingles.
1. Who gets it?
- Mostly affects children
- Adults are at risk too
- Unusual to have Chickenpox more than once
2. How do you catch it? It’s easy to catch it…
- Contact with the fluid from the blisters, or droplets spread through coughing and sneezing.
3. Vaccination options
The Chickenpox vaccine is a safe, effective way to prevent Chickenpox and its possible complications. The vaccine stimulates your immune system to produce antibodies that will help protect against Chickenpox.
- Number of doses? 2, usually given 4-8 weeks apart.
- Booster doses? Once you have completed the two-dose course, you won’t need further booster doses.
- Age restrictions? Suitable for patients from the age of one up to the age of 65. It is only recommended if you have not had Chickenpox.