Although chicken pox is a common disease, it should not be taken lightly. Chicken pox, or varicella, is a highly contagious viral disease that most often strikes children. It causes fever and those itchy skin lesions that torment about 4 million people each year. However, many people do not realize that chicken pox also can lead to serious complications or even death. About 100 die.
Skin infections are the most common complication, leading to scars or even more serious illnesses.
Other serious problems that may result from chicken pox include swelling of the brain, pneumonia, ear infections and loss of muscle coordination. The risk of developing severe infections from chicken pox increases as people get older. The good news is that a relatively new vaccine is available to inoculate children and adults against the disease. The Food and Drug Administration approved the varicella vaccine in 1995 for use in individuals at least 12 months of age who have not previously had chicken pox. Even if a child is not required to receive the varicella vaccine, the physicians of the Texas Medical Association recommend parents vaccinate their children against chicken pox if they are at least 12 months of age and have never had the disease.