Chickenpox Essay

Pathogens are organisms that are capable of causing diseases in other organisms and are considered to be ubiquitous. They can be found in water, on surfaces, and on or in humans, plants, and animals. Different pathogens have different signs and symptoms, treatment options, ways of transmission, diagnoses, and prognoses. Chickenpox, also known as varicella, and shingles are diseases caused by the same pathogen and have many of the same characteristics, but are also unique in their own ways.

Chickenpox is a virus caused by a herpesvirus called Varicella-Zoster virus, also known as VZV. Like all viruses, VZV is composed of two different parts, genetic material and a protein. The Varicella-Zoster virus, specifically, contains a protein core surrounded by DNA. It also has projections of protein that come through the DNA which helps the virus to attach itself to a host cell (Silverstein, A., Silverstein, V., and Nunn, L., 1998). Normally, it starts by attaching itself to cells found either in the nose or mouth. At this time the virus becomes active and begins moving to the skin cells which is when a rash will start to appear (Plum, J., 2001).

A person who has been infected by the disease may experience signs of fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and a red rash that appears blotchy. Generally the signs become present between ten and twenty-one days after the person has been exposed to and infected by the virus (Silverstein et al., 1998). This is what is known as the incubation period (Plum, J., 2001). The rash is most likely to begin on the chest, back, or the scalp, but will soon spread to the rest of the body. After a couple days of having physical evidence of the infection, the rash will s...

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...n and adults have started getting vaccinated. As parents continue to vaccinate their children, in future generations, there will be a smaller amount of outbreaks of shingles as well.

Works Cited

Glaser, J. (2006). Chicken Pox. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

Plum, J. (2001). Chicken Pox and Shingles. New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

Seppa, N. (January 5, 2011). Second chicken pox shot boosts coverage. In Science News. Retrieved July 16, 2014, from https://www.sciencenews.org/article/second-chicken-pox-shot-boosts-coverage.

Shannon, J. (2008). Pain Sourcebook Third Edition. Aston, PA: Omnigraphics, Inc.

Siegel, M. and Williams, G. (2008). Shingles New Hope For an Old Disease. Lanham, MD: The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.

Silverstein, A., Silverstein, V., & Nunn, L. (1998). Chickenpox and Shingles. Springfield, NJ: Enslow Publishers, Inc.