How Do You Spell CHICKEN-POX?

Pronunciation: [t͡ʃˈɪkɪnpˈɒks] (IPA)

Chicken-pox (ˈtʃɪkən pɑks) is a contagious viral disease commonly affecting children. The spelling of this word is derived from the Old English word ‘gicken’, which means ‘to itch’, and ‘pocks’, which are the characteristic bumps that appear on the skin during the illness. The phonetic transcription of the word indicates the stress on the first syllable, with the ‘ch’ sound in ‘chicken’ pronounced as ‘tʃ’ and the ‘o’ in ‘pox’ is pronounced as ‘ɑ’. Early vaccination against chicken-pox can prevent the disease and its complications.

CHICKEN-POX Meaning and Definition

  1. Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious viral infection characterized by a red, itchy rash that forms small, fluid-filled blisters on the skin. It is primarily caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a member of the herpesvirus family. The disease usually affects children, but individuals of all ages can be affected.

    The transmission of chickenpox occurs through direct contact with the infected person, or by inhaling respiratory droplets when the infected individual coughs or sneezes. The virus easily spreads from person to person, particularly in crowded settings. After exposure to the virus, it generally takes around 10 to 21 days for symptoms to develop.

    Common symptoms of chickenpox include fever, headache, fatigue, and a rash that starts as red spots and evolves into itchy blisters. The rash typically appears first on the face, scalp, or trunk, and then spreads to other parts of the body. The blisters eventually crust over and heal within one to two weeks, leaving behind temporary scars.

    In most cases, chickenpox is a mild illness that resolves on its own with at-home care and symptom relief medications. However, complications such as bacterial skin infections, pneumonia, encephalitis, or, in rare cases, severe organ damage can occur, particularly in adults, infants, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

    Chickenpox can be prevented through vaccination, as the varicella vaccine is highly effective at preventing the disease or reducing its severity if contracted. Vaccination not only protects the individual but also helps prevent the spread of the virus to vulnerable populations.

Common Misspellings for CHICKEN-POX

  • chicken0pox
  • chickenppox
  • chickenpox
  • Chickenmpox

Etymology of CHICKEN-POX

The term "chickenpox" originated in the 19th century and is derived from the similarity of the skin lesions of the disease to chickpea seeds or smallpox pustules. The word "chicken" refers to the resemblance to chickpeas, while "pox" comes from the Old English word "pocks" meaning pustules or blisters. So, "chickenpox" essentially refers to the appearance of the skin rash associated with the disease.

Similar spelling word for CHICKEN-POX

Plural form of CHICKEN-POX is CHICKEN POXES

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