According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "more than 3.5 million cases of varicella, 9,000 hospitalizations, and 100 deaths are prevented by varicella vaccination" annually in the United States. Based on this fact alone, one can easily see how devastating chickenpox could be without innoculation. Chickenpox largely affects children, however, incidences in adults have shown that the symptoms can be even worse, leading to complications. Even in the current day, with the availability of vaccines, cases of chickenpox outbreak have been reported. The question is "Should chickenpox be prevented?" and the answer is, yes. Here is why:
1. It is Highly Contagious
Chickenpox spreads easily from person to person, and can be spread …show more content…
However, the virus can be reactivated and develop into shingles. Shingles causes painful skin rashes, a single strip of blisters, generally on the trunk, and occurs in adulthood (common in people of 50). It can be triggered by stress, medication, or a weakened immune system. Today, there is a shingles vaccine for those who have already contracted the chickenpox virus.
4. It's Dangerous in Adults
Chickenpox in adults can have devastating consequences. While cases of chickenpox are less common in adults, the potential complications that an infected adult could face are unlike a child's experience. The bacteria present in chickenpox virus can cause complication such as pneumonia, osteomyelitis, arthritis, soft tissue infection and toxic shock syndrome, along with encephalitis.
The simple fact is chickenpox should be prevented and for very good reasons. An outbreak of chickenpox can cause a health crisis, affecting those who have not been vaccinated. This can be both kids and adults alike, adults with chickenpox are more likely to face complications. It is easily transmitted, affects children the most, and a past infection can lead to shingles. It is best to be inoculated against chickenpox to prevent any harm that could come your way from a potential infection.
Reference
1. It is Highly Contagious
Chickenpox spreads easily from person to person, and can be spread …show more content…
However, the virus can be reactivated and develop into shingles. Shingles causes painful skin rashes, a single strip of blisters, generally on the trunk, and occurs in adulthood (common in people of 50). It can be triggered by stress, medication, or a weakened immune system. Today, there is a shingles vaccine for those who have already contracted the chickenpox virus.
4. It's Dangerous in Adults
Chickenpox in adults can have devastating consequences. While cases of chickenpox are less common in adults, the potential complications that an infected adult could face are unlike a child's experience. The bacteria present in chickenpox virus can cause complication such as pneumonia, osteomyelitis, arthritis, soft tissue infection and toxic shock syndrome, along with encephalitis.
The simple fact is chickenpox should be prevented and for very good reasons. An outbreak of chickenpox can cause a health crisis, affecting those who have not been vaccinated. This can be both kids and adults alike, adults with chickenpox are more likely to face complications. It is easily transmitted, affects children the most, and a past infection can lead to shingles. It is best to be inoculated against chickenpox to prevent any harm that could come your way from a potential infection.
Reference