how long is chickenpox infectious in adults?
(16 Jun 2009)
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Chickenpox is an extremely infectious disease that can spread very easily from one person to another. The reason why it can be so easily transmitted is probably because the infection can be passed both through direct contact and also by the air because of the sneezing or cough of an infected individual. Direct contact transmission would generally require contact with the blisters or fluid from the blisters.
If there is any such direct contact it is necessary to wash the hands thoroughly after.
Another reason why the infection can spread so prolifically has more to do with your query. A person infected with the chickenpox virus will not know that he is infected until the rash shows up.
The rash or identifiable recognizable chickenpox only shows up ten to twenty one days following infection. Unfortunately the infection can be spread even five days before the appearance of the rash. There is therefore no way of knowing if you have been exposed to the virus or are exposing others to it. Once the rash has developed however the period of contagion lasts until all of the blisters have dried up and formed scabs. This would generally take around five to ten days.
If you have already experienced chickenpox during your childhood then there shouldnt be much need to worry as you are most likely immune as the infection leaves you with a natural immunity. This means that your body would be able to fight of the infection if you were exposed to it again. Those who experience very mild cases of chickenpox with just a few blisters however could develop chicken pox again. Such scenarios are however extremely rare. The percentage of adults who are at a risk of chickenpox infection is in fact below 5%. A chickenpox infection during adulthood can however be a lot more serious as compared to in children.
In case you are worried about exposure you may have been subjected to, if you have never suffered chickenpox in the past, there is still a solution. Today a vaccine against chickenpox is easily available and has been proved to be quite effective. Even if you are pregnant the vaccine does not pose any risk to you or your baby. It must however be administered within 72 hours of exposure to the virus. Pregnant women and immuno compromised patients like cancer or HIV patients are at particular risk from complications if infected with chickenpox.
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