Baby Talk | The chicken pox vaccine is best way to prevent virus

Spring time brings us beautiful weather, flowers, blooming trees, baseball games and chicken pox.

Prior to 1995 when the chicken pox vaccine was first introduced it is estimated that 4 million cases a year happened in the United States. That means that approximately 9 percent of the adult population had the chickenpox before they were 18. The vaccine doesn't completely protect one from getting the disease, but it helps reduce the horrible possible consequences of the disease. The more people that are vaccinated that less chance the disease will appear.

The classic symptom of chicken pox is a rash that turns into itchy fluid-filled blisters appearing in clusters. It usually appears on the face, chest and back first, then spreads to the rest of the body. This is when it is most contagious. It takes around a week for the blisters to become scabs. Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite and a headache usually precede the rash.

The chicken pox vaccine is a safe and effective way of preventing and/or diminishing the side effects of chicken pox. It is given in two doses. For people older than 60, it is recommended that they get the shingles vaccine. Shingles presents in much the same way as chicken pox because it is caused by the same virus -- varicella-zoster.

Chicken pox is very contagious. Recently I have heard of "chicken pox parties." Because chicken pox is so contagious, a "party" is held where healthy children are exposed to a child with the symptoms of the pox in order to expose them to the disease. The plan being that they would get a small dose of the pox, and then develop a resistance to the disease.

One should never intentionally expose a child to a disease. Chicken pox can cause pneumonia, bleeding problems, encephalitis, bacterial skin infections, toxic shock syndrome, bone and joint infections and worse case scenario, death.

Chicken pox is especially dangerous for pregnant women as they could pass it on to their unborn baby. Newborns do not have a developed immune system and could potentially die if they are exposed to chicken pox. People who have a weakened immune system are also at high risk for severe complications if exposed to chicken pox.

I have also heard that there is a lollipop that can be bought online that contains the chicken pox virus. Supposedly it will give the child a mild case of the chicken pox after licking the lollipop. It is not only a bad, and gross idea, but it is also illegal. Who knows what else could be on that lollipop? It could contain all kinds of germs and viruses.

Be safe, get the vaccine. If you are older than 60 get the shingles vaccine.

Vaccines save lives. That is the bottom line.

Katie Powers, R.N., is a board-certified lactation consultant and perinatal educator at Manatee Memorial Hospital's Family BirthPlace.

This story was originally published May 9, 2016 at 6:35 PM with the headline "Baby Talk | The chicken pox vaccine is best way to prevent virus ."