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CHICKENPOX
PART A The most sensitive method for confirming a diagnosis of varicella is the use of
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect VZV in skin lesions (vesicles, scabs,
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). maculopapular lesions). Vesicular lesions or scabs, if present, are the best for sampling.
It can cause an itchy, blister-like rash. The rash first appears on the chest, back, and The virus spreads mainly through close contact with someone who has chickenpox.
face, and then spreads over the entire body, causing between 250 and 500 itchy
blisters.New bumps continue to appear for several days, so you may have all three stages
of the rash — bumps, blisters and scabbed lesions — at the same time. You can spread A person with chickenpox is considered contagious beginning 1 to 2 days before rash
the virus to other people for up to 48 hours before the rash appears, and the virus remains onset until all the chickenpox lesions have crusted (scabbed). Vaccinated people who
contagious until all broken blisters have crusted over. get chickenpox may develop lesions that do not crust.

The rash may first show up on the chest, back, and face, and then spread over the entire Anyone who has not had chickenpox or gotten the chickenpox vaccine can get the
body, including inside the mouth, eyelids, or genital area. It usually takes about one disease. Chickenpox illness usually lasts about 4 to 7 days. The classic symptom of
week for all of the blisters to become scabs. chickenpox is a rash that turns into itchy and fluid-filled blisters.

Other typical symptoms that may begin to appear one to two days before rash include:
fever. How long chickenpox is infectious for. Chickenpox is infectious from 2 days PART C
before the spots appear, until they have all crusted over – usually 5 days after they first
appeared. Chickenpox may be a childhood illness, but adults can get it too. Chickenpox tends to
be more severe in adults than children, and adults have a higher risk of developing
Children under the age of 2 are most at risk for chickenpox. In fact, 90% of all cases complications. Adults with chickenpox should stay off work until all the spots have
occur in young children. But older kids and adults can get it, too. Most people who have crusted over.
had chickenpox will be immune to the disease for the rest of their lives. However, the
virus remains inactive in nerve tissue and may reactivate later in life causing shingles. Two doses of the chickenpox vaccine are over 90% effective at preventing it. Most
Very rarely, a second case of chickenpox does happen. people who get the vaccine don't get chickenpox — and those who do usually get a
much milder version of the disease.
PART B There are 2 vaccines that protect against chickenpox: The chickenpox vaccine protects
children and adults from chickenpox. All 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC)
Some people may have only a few spots whereas others will have hundreds. Symptoms have state laws that require children entering childcare or public schools to have certain
start appearing 10-21 days after exposure to the virus. Full recovery from chickenpox vaccinations. There is no federal law that requires this. Adults are 25 times more likely
usually takes 7-10 days after the symptoms first appear. to die from chickenpox than children.

Shingles is an infection of an individual nerve. It is caused by the same virus as The risk of hospitalization and death from chickenpox (varicella) is increased in adults.
chickenpox – the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms include: A rash similar to Chickenpox may cause complications such as pneumonia or encephalitis, both of which
chickenpox in a band around the infected nerve. can be serious. Chickenpox can also cause death. Deaths are very rare now due to the
vaccine program.
Chickenpox is most common in children under the age of 10. In fact, chickenpox is so
common in childhood that over 90% of adults are immune to the condition because
they've had it before. Children usually catch chickenpox in winter and spring.
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However, some deaths from chickenpox continue to occur in healthy, unvaccinated PART D
children and adults. In chickenpox, the rash is most dense on the trunk with fewer
vesicles on the face and limbs. Vaccination characteristics of shingles

Those on the scalp may be accompanied by swollen lymph glands at the back of the
neck. Vesicles can also occur in the mouth and throat, under the eyelids and in the
genital and anal openings.
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Questions 1-7 For each question, 1-7, decide which text (A, B, C or D) the
Information comes from. You may use any letter more than once. In which text
can you can find information about.

1. How serious is chickenpox in adults?

2. What else look like chickenpox?
3. How long is chickenpox contagious?
4. What is the coast of shingrix vaccine?
5. Can a human get chickenpox twice?
6. How long can be chickenpox lasts?
7. Which organs are affected by chickenpox?

Answer the questions,8-14, with a word or short phrase from the texts. Each
answer may include words, numbers or both.

8. Which complications are occurred due to chickenpox?

9. What is the percentage of prevention with two doses of chickenpox vaccine?
10. Which vaccine have the reaction of occasional muscle soreness?
11. Which is the most sensitive method for confirming a diagnosis of varicella?
12. Who are mostly at the increased risk of hospitalisation and death from
chickenpox?
13. Which vaccine is sometimes affecting daily activity?
14. What are the classic symptoms of chickenpox?

Questions 15-20. Complete each of the sentences, 15-20, with a word or short
phrase from one of the texts. Each answer may include words, numbers or both.

15. In chickenpox, the rash is most dense on the trunk with fewer resicles on
the......................?
16. Chickenpox is most common in children under the age of................?
17. Vaccinated people, who get chickenpox may develop............that do not crust?
18. Children’s gradually catch chickenpox in....................?
19. Children under the age of................are most at the risk of chickenpox?
20. Full recovery from chickenpox usually takes.....................after the symptoms
first appear?
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ANSWER KEY
• C
• B
• A
• D
• A
• B
• C
• pneumonia and encephalitis
• 90
• Zostavax
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
• adults
• shingrix
• rash and fluid filled blisters
• face and limbs
• 10
• lesions
• winter and spring
• 2
• 7 to10 days