Vodene kozice ili varičela su zarazna bolest koja je uzrokovana virusom varicella-zoster. Virus varicella-zoster spada u skupinu herpesvirusa, sferičnog je oblika i sadrži DNA, a čovjek je jedini prirodni domaćin virusa. Virus se prenosi kapljičnim putem, te dodirom i kontaktom sa sadržajem vezikula (mjehurića). Ulazno mjesto virusa je sluznica dišnog sustava. Bolest se očituje blagim općim i respiratornim simptomima te vezikularnim osipom. Bolesnik je zarazan 2 dana prije izbijanja osipa, pa sve dok vezikule ne postanu kruste. Vodene kozice ostavljaju trajnu imunost pa osobe koje su preboljele bolest ne obolijevaju ponovo. Danas postoji cjepivo protiv vodenih kozica, ali kod nas još nije u široj upotrebi. Cilj ovog rada je opisati kretanje vodenih kozica na području Primorsko-goranske županije u razdoblju od 2015. do 2019. godine. U radu su prikazani podaci prema spolu, dobi, zanimanju i mjestu prebivališta oboljelih od vodenih kozica. Ukupan broj oboljelih tijekom 2015.godine do 2019. godine iznosio je 6656. Najmanji broj oboljelih bio je 2015. godine i tad je zabilježeno 714 pacijenata; 24,1/10 000 oboljelih, a najveći broj oboljelih bio je 2019. godine kad je iznosio 2019 pacijenata; 68,2/10 000 oboljelih. Od ove bolesti češće su obolijevali muškarci tijekom svih pet promatranih godina; 25,8/10 000 do 74,3/10 000 oboljelih; 2015 do 2019 godine. Najčešće su obolijevale djeca u životnoj dobi do 4 godina; 84.1/10 000 oboljelih. U navedenom periodu nije bilo umrlih od vodenih kozica. Vodene kozice imaju nisu stopu mortaliteta ali zbog zaraznosti i učestalosti u dječjoj dobi smatraju je jednom od najčešći dječjih bolesti.
Chickenpox is a contagious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. It belongs to the group of herpes viruses, is spherical in shape and contains DNA and human is the only natural host of the virus. The virus is transmitted by droplets, and by contact with the contents of the vesicles. The entry of the virus is the mucous membrane of the respiratory system. The disease is manifested by mild general and respiratory symptoms, and vesicular rash. The patient is contagious 2 days before the onset of the rash and until the vesicles become scabs. Chickenpox leaves a lasting immunity so people who have survived the disease do not get ill again. Today, there is a vaccine against chickenpox, but it is not yet widely used in our country. The aim of this study is to describe the trend of chickenpox in the Primorje - Gorski Kotar Country in the period from 2015 to 2019. The paper presents data by sex, age, occupation and place of residence of patients with chickenpox. The total number of patients during the period from 2015 to 2019 was 6656. The lowest number of patients was in 2015, when 714 patients were recorded; 24.1/10 000, and the largest number were in 2019 when it amounted to 2019 patients; 68.2/10 000. This disease was more common in males during all 5 years; 25.8/10 000 to 74.3/10 000; 2015 to 2019. Children up to 4 years of age were most often affected; 84.1/10,000. There were no deaths related to smallpox during this period. Chickenpox has very low mortality rate but due to its contagiousness and frequency in childhood, so it is considered one of the most common childhood diseases.