Transmission
It’s easy to catch chickenpox and you can catch it by being in the same room as someone with it. It’s also spread by touching things that have fluid from the blisters on them.
You can spread the virus to others from 2 days before your spots appear until they have formed scabs – usually 5 days after your spots appeared.
VZV is transmitted person-person – infection occurs via three possible routes:1
- Direct contact with an individual currently displaying symptoms (of chickenpox or shingles).
- Inhalation of particles (aerosol transmission).
-
Transplacentally(although this type of transmission is rare)
Primary infection with VZV causes chickenpox, this occurs in nearly all (9 in 10) individuals raised in the UK during childhood.1
It is also possible to suffer a secondary infection of VZV, causing the condition shingles. This later infection often comes about in adult life after the virus ‘reactivates’ following a
in which it may lie dormant for many years; this is much more likely to occur in those who are older or immunocompromised.2
The table headings below reveal more information on the similarities and differences between chickenpox and shingles.1,3
| Chickenpox | Shingles |
| Affects almost the entire non-vaccinated population. | May affect anyone who has experienced primary VZV infection; occurs in 1 in 3 of these people and incidence increases with age. |
| Usually mild but may be distressing for the patient and disruptive to family life. | Often a painful and potentially chronic disease. |
| While mostly benign, may be associated with serious complications or even death. | May be associated with a number of serious complications. |
References
- UK Health Security Agency – The Green Book – Chapter 34: Varicella
- Dworkin RH., Johnson RW., Breuer J., et al. Recommendations for the Management of Herpes Zoster. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2007;44:S1-26.
- Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: The Pink Book – Chapter 22: Varicella. 2015a.