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Epidemiology of Chickenpox

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Epidemiology of Chickenpox
Karissa N. Martinez
Grand Canyon University: NRS-427V
05/16/2014

Epidemiology of Chickenpox
This essay was written to explain the epidemiology of chickenpox and allow the reader to develop a better understanding of the disease. The author intended for the reader to become informed about the causes, symptoms, mode of transmission, complications, treatment and mortality and morbidity rates. Also, the reader will become familiar with the determinants of health and contributing factors to develop varicella, the relation of the epidemiologic triangle, the role of the community health nurse, as well as identify a national organization that reduces the impact of the disease on the community.
Chickenpox …show more content…

For patients who are at high risk for complications an antiviral can be prescribed called acyclovir. Acyclovir can help reduce symptoms in the early stages; twenty four hours after the rash appears (Gould, 2014). Mortality and morbidity rates are higher for adults and those how are immunocompromised ( Khandelwal & Kumawat, 2008). Centers for Disease Control 2014, has revealed that the number of chickenpox outbreaks in the United States has decreased significantly since the vaccination was introduced. If the disease is still acquired after vaccination symptoms are mild resulting in fewer lesions and low or no fever (CDC, 2014). Centers for Disease Control, 2014 state that four million people would be infected by chickenpox in the United States alone, 10,600 people hospitalized and 100 to 150 deaths before the vaccination was initiated.
Determinants of health can be both social and physical factors that can either help avoid or put one at increased risk for development of a disease such as varicella. Some examples of social determinants of health can be quality of education, public safety, language barriers, culture, social support and socioeconomic conditions (Healthy People, 2013). These determinants can negatively impact the community, for instance if the population of focus is one of poverty level with low rates of quality education, and high incidence of crime this can make it difficult to obtain

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