THE INFECTION: HOW DID I GET THIS?

Despite my family's efforts for me to catch the virus as a child, (chicken pox parties and so), I never caught it, so I entered adulthood knowing that this could happen.

The virus is extremely contagious: it can be spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by touching the fluid from a chicken pox blister. The virus can even be spread by touching an object that has been previously contaminated by fluid from blisters or by the coughing and sneezing of a person with the disease. Also, an adult suffering from shingles can give you chicken pox if you're not immune.

Pets don't get chicken pox. Humans are the only species that suffer from it.

Someone with chicken pox is most infectious during the two days prior to the chicken pox rash.



It can take from 7 to 21 days for the first symptoms of chicken pox to appear.


I have absolutely no idea of who passed me the virus. But I am making sure I am not passing it to anyone. I am not leaving my house until all of my spots are completely dry and have crusted over.