Varicella-zoster virus is the virus that causes Chickenpox and Shingles.  Varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox) is an airborne pathogen and is highly contagious.  The incubation period is between 11 and 21 days.  Once most people reach adulthood they have already been infected with the chickenpox but that does not necessarily mean they will not get them again in a different form.  Herpes zoster or shingles can affect anyone at almost any age.  Most often Shingles affects those over 60 who had chickenpox before they were a year old or their immune system has been compromised by medications, illness, or disease.

Symptoms of chickenpox are muscle aches, fever, headache, sore throat, itching, rash or raised bumps of various sizes, glands can become swollen, one may experience a lower back ache, and possible loss of appetite.  Adults seem to have more severe symptoms than children.  Complications in children are rare but they do occur and may include pneumonia, encephalitis, and secondary infections. 

Pregnant women are at risk because their unborn child could experience birth defects, such as limb abnormalities, low birth weight and if the mother contacts chickenpox in her final week of pregnancy the child could acquire a life threatening infection.  It is always wise to consult with your doctor if you have been exposed to varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox) or have any concerns including illness or disease during pregnancy.

Some parents of small children that refuse to vaccinate their little ones against varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox) have been known to try and expose their children to other infected children with chickenpox hoping their children will acquire immunity to the virus.  This is a very dangerous idea and is never recommended.   You would think once a person has chickenpox they are automatically immune to any further complications.  Not so. Year’s later shingles can develop.  How does this happen? Once acquired, varicella-zoster virus can remain dormant in certain nerves in the body and can manifests itself in these nerves years later as shingles.  Shingles develop as a painful skin rash usually years after the person had chickenpox.  Symptoms of Shingles are often headache, fever, and a general feeling of being ill. The rash usually develops like hives after initial symptoms occur and then into blisters and next the blisters fill with blood, and in 7 to 10 days they crust over and heal.  Sometimes depending on the severity of the rash, scaring of the skin may occur.   Lingering pain called postherpetic neuralgia from shingles can be serious for some individuals.

The Varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox) is an airborne pathogen that is highly contagious but preventable in most cases.  In 1972 a Japanese researcher isolated blood from an infected three your old and began growing the virus.  From this research a vaccine was developed and is now available.  The Center for Disease Control along with the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends getting healthy children vaccinated against Varicella-zoster.  

The use of air purification with photocatalytic oxidation technology can significantly reduce airborne pathogens.  Preventing the spread of illness and disease is essential and possible in today’s world.   Utilizing education, research, and modern technologies, along with careful hand washing, surface cleaning and sanitation, air purification and vaccinations can reduce medical costs; time lost from work and school, and makes our environment a much safer place to live.