Who Would Have Thought this Simple Step Stops Chickenpox from Spreading?

Posted By Dr. Mercola | December 20 2011 |

Researchers have found that exposure to sunlight may halt the spread of chickenpox. A research team found that the illness is less common in areas that receive high levels of UV light.

This may be due to sunlight inactivating viruses on skin, making them harder to pass on. Although the chickenpox virus can be spread by coughs and sneezes in the early stages of infection, the main vector for the disease is contact with the blisters and spots it characteristically causes.

According to BBC News:

"UV light has long been known to inactivate viruses ... chickenpox is less common and less easily passed from person to person in tropical countries. It could also help explain why chickenpox is more common in the colder seasons in temperate countries ... as people have less exposure to sunlight".