Chickenpox is a highly contagious acute respiratory infectious disease, commonly known as "face-to-face transmission", which is very easy to break out in kindergartens, schools and other places.
Statistics show that from 2007 to 2021, 99.7% of the cluster outbreaks of chickenpox in mainland China occurred in schools, of which 85% occurred in childcare institutions and primary schools. Therefore, the prevention and control of chickenpox in schools is extremely important.
April to July and November to January are the two peak periods for the incidence of chickenpox in mainland China. Recently, many places have issued reminders that entering the high season of chickenpox, parents and schools need to be prepared to fight "pox".
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can cause both chickenpox and herpes zoster; The former is usually seen in children, while the latter does not develop until adulthood.
The typical course of chickenpox can be divided into a prodromal phase and an eruption phase. Children are often asymptomatic or mild in the prodromal period, and may have symptoms such as low-grade fever, headache, anorexia, and rash after 1~2 days of fever. The rash first appears on the trunk, head and face, and then spreads to the extremities, showing a centripetal distribution. The rash begins as a small pink macule, which becomes papules within hours and herpes over a few hours. The course of chickenpox is generally 5~7 days, and the scab peels off in about 1 week.
Chickenpox can also induce complications such as secondary bacterial infection, chickenpox encephalitis, and primary chickenpox pneumonia, and is easy to leave scars after infection. If shingles develops in the elderly at home or in childcare facilities, it can lead to chickenpox infection in children.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are at least 140 million cases of chickenpox worldwide each year. At present, there is no specific treatment for chickenpox, and vaccination against chickenpox is the most economical and effective means to prevent chickenpox.
In view of the global burden of disease caused by chickenpox, chickenpox vaccine has been included in the WHO priority prequalification vaccine list, and the mainland has already passed WHO prequalification of varicella vaccine. This means that the vaccine will be subject to both domestic and international full-life cycle regulation.
Considering the impact of chickenpox on children's physical health and normal teaching and living order, it is recommended that school-age children complete 2 doses of varicella vaccination before entering school. The WHO also recommends 2 doses of varicella vaccine in its position paper. Domestic and foreign studies have also confirmed that 2 doses of varicella vaccine have higher effectiveness than 1 dose.
Text: Geng Yan
Editor: Xiao Wei
Review: Liu Pingan