However, when chickenpox does occur, it’s highly contagious among people who aren’t immune. Most people think of chickenpox as a mild disease — and, for most, it is. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know who will develop a severe case.
The chickenpox vaccine is a safe, effective way to prevent the disease and its possible complications.
In otherwise healthy children, chickenpox typically requires no medical treatment. Your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine to relieve itching. But for the most part, the disease is allowed to run its course.
For people who have a high risk of complications from chickenpox, doctors sometimes prescribe medications to shorten the duration of the infection and to help reduce the risk of complications.
The chickenpox vaccine is the best way to prevent the disease. Experts from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that the vaccine provides complete protection from the virus for nearly 90 percent of young children who receive it. When the vaccine doesn’t provide complete protection, it significantly lessens the severity of the disease.
