How is chickenpox transmitted?

How is chickenpox transmitted?

• A. Direct contact, droplet spread, and contaminated objects
• B. Waterborne spread
• C. Only airborne
• D. Only droplet spread

Answer: (A)

Chickenpox spreads through more than one route. The varicella zoster virus is shed in the fluid of the vesicles and in respiratory secretions, so it can be transmitted by direct contact with the skin lesions and by droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also contaminate surfaces or objects with vesicle fluid, so touching those contaminated items and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes can spread the infection. Waterborne transmission isn’t a typical route. Thus, all three routes—direct contact, droplet spread, and contaminated objects—account for how chickenpox can be transmitted.

Chickenpox spreads through more than one route. The varicella zoster virus is shed in the fluid of the vesicles and in respiratory secretions, so it can be transmitted by direct contact with the skin lesions and by droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also contaminate surfaces or objects with vesicle fluid, so touching those contaminated items and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes can spread the infection. Waterborne transmission isn’t a typical route. Thus, all three routes—direct contact, droplet spread, and contaminated objects—account for how chickenpox can be transmitted.