Chickenpox epidemiology and demographics

	Chickenpox Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Chickenpox from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Chest X Ray
CT scan
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Chickenpox epidemiology and demographics On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Chickenpox epidemiology and demographics All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Chickenpox epidemiology and demographics
CDC on Chickenpox epidemiology and demographics
Chickenpox epidemiology and demographics in the news
Blogs on Chickenpox epidemiology and demographics
Directions to Hospitals Treating Chickenpox
Risk calculators and risk factors for Chickenpox epidemiology and demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aravind Reddy Kothagadi M.B.B.S [2]

Epidemiology and Demographics

Varicella is an endemic disease spread mainly by the respiratory route
Cases are observed all through the year but most in the winter and early spring.
In tropical regions, cases of varicella infection have been reported to be more commonly among adults than children

Varicella being one of the classical diseases of childhood, has a highest prevalence occurring between the age groups of 4 - 10 years old .
It is highly communicable, with an attack rate of 90% in close contacts. Occurs mostly before adulthood but 10% of young adults remain susceptible. This pattern varies by regions, eg. in rural India, varicella is predominantly a disease of adults with the mean age of infection being 23.4 years which could be due to the interference by other respiratory viruses that the children are exposed to at an early age.^[1]

From generations, varicella has been a disease predominantly affecting the preschool and school-aged children. In tropical regions, the disease noticed among adults has the characteristics of the pocks being darker and the scars being more prominent than their younger counterparts.^[1]

In the U.S., 55% of chickenpox deaths are in the over-20 age group, even though they are a tiny fraction of the cases.

The prevalence of chickenpox may be distinguished based on the pre and post vaccine eras.

Varicella cases and states reporting, United States, 1972-1996. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). ^[2]