Varicella Vaccine

ABOUT THE DISEASE
Varicella, commonly named as Chickenpox, is caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV). Typical symptoms include rash, blisters, itchiness, tiredness, loss of appetite and fever. The rash and blisters usually appear on face and trunk first, then extend to limbs and other body parts. The blisters will dry up in few days and then scabbing happens.

Apart from general discomfort, varicella can induce serious health problems. People at high risks include infants, pregnant women and people with impaired immunity or on treatments that are immunosuppressive. Those complications include skin infection, dehydration, pneumonia, encephalitis and sepsis. In few cases, chickenpox can cause death. In addition, infection of VZV in early stage of pregnancy may bring about congenital malformation of foetus.

ABOUT THE VIRUS
Incubation period of VZV is about 2-3 weeks. It is highly contagious through direct or indirect contact to the fluid of blisters or even by droplet transmission from the infected source. Treatments are usually symptoms-relieving and infection precaution is at priority management.

VZV appears as chickenpox when a person is firstly infected by this virus, it refers as the first stage. People will then get immune. However, after recovered, the virus will not be cleared but will stay inside nerve ganglia and remains inactive. The virus will be reactivated again to its second stage under certain unfavorable conditions or unhealthy status of people. In this case, it induces disease which refers to shingles.

ABOUT THE VACCINE
Vaccination is highly important to prevent chickenpox infection. 2 doses in 6 months are needed for infants. For people aged above 13 who have no history of VZV infection, 1 dose or 2 doses are recommended.

Side effects of the vaccines are usually mild, including pain, redness and swelling of the infection site, rash, low-grade fever, muscles or joints pain. In certain cases, slight symptoms of chickenpox may appear. For severe discomfort, please seek for medical consultation as soon as possible.

For further enquiries or bookings for vaccination, please contact us (+852) 2779 8388.

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