Table of Contents

Chickenpox, smallpox, and monkeypox

Viral etiology

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease with a viral etiology. 1)

Varicella-zoster virus

It is caused by the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is identical to the herpes virus. 2)

Droplet route

Smallpox infection occurs via the droplet route. 3)

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is one of the most common infectious diseases in childhood. The characteristic symptoms of chickenpox are fever, weakness, and a polymorphous skin rash with fluid-filled blisters. 4)

Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a virus, similar to smallpox but milder. It is infectious to all animal species, including humans, and has a death rate of up to 10 percent. The smallpox vaccine is said to work well against monkeypox. 5)

Contagious

Chickenpox is contagious from two days before the onset of skin lesions until the last lesion dries up. Treatment includes symptomatic treatment and drying and antiseptic preparations for the skin. 6)

Incubation

The incubation period of the disease is 10 to 21 days after contact with a chickenpox patient. 7)

More dangerous for adults

Chickenpox in adults usually has a more severe course than in children, despite producing similar symptoms. Adults have a higher incidence of complications from chickenpox, such as meningitis, arthritis, and kidney, liver, or heart muscle inflammation. 8)

Pregnancy

Contracting chickenpox during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage or the development of congenital smallpox in the baby. 9)

Symptoms

Symptoms of chickenpox include fever, headache, weakness, and a skin rash, which usually appears on the second day of illness. 10)

Chickenpox vs smallpox

Chickenpox is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, and smallpox is caused by the Variola virus. Smallpox spots are smaller, and the amount of fluid in the pimples is less. Chickenpox blisters look like water bubbles. 11)