Medical Health Encyclopedia

The disease usually occurs in late winter and early spring months. It can also be transmitted from direct contact with the open sores. (Clothing, bedding, and such objects do not usually spread the disease.)

A patient with chickenpox can transmit the disease from about two days before the appearance of the spots, to the end of the blister stage. This period lasts about five to seven days. Once dry scabs form, and the disease is unlikely to spread.

Most schools allow children with chickenpox back after ten days of onset. Some require children to stay home until the skin has completely cleared, although this is not necessary to prevent transmission.

Risk Factors for Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

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About 500,000 cases of shingles occur each year in the US. Anyone who has had chickenpox has risk for shingles later in life, which means that 90% of adults in the US are at risk for shingles. Shingles occurs, however, in between 10% and 20% of these adult over the course of their lives, so certain factors must exist to increase the risk for such outbreaks.

The Aging Process. The risk for herpes zoster increases as people age, so the overall number of cases will undoubtedly increase as the baby boomer generation gets older. One study estimated that a person who reaches 85 has a 50% chance of having herpes zoster. The risk for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is also highest in older people with the infection and increases dramatically after age 50. PHN is persistent pain and is the most feared complication of shingles. An interesting, but small, 2003 study reported that older people with a history of chickenpox who practiced Tai Chi Chih experienced an increase in immune factors against herpes zoster. Tai Chi Chih is an Asian practice that employs balance, alignment, concentration, and meditation. Because Tai Chi and similar practices, such as yoga, reduce stress, these study results suggest that stress reduction techniques might be helpful in reducing the risk for herpes zoster.