Sunlight can halt chickenpox spread

British researchers have claimed that exposing yourself to the sun''s rays can help prevent the spread of chickenpox. According to UK researches, the british researchers at the University of London discovered that chickenpox tends to be less common in countries with high UV sun levels and that sunlight may make viruses on the skin inactive, making it harder for chickenpox to be passed on from person-to-person. They examined data from 25 other studies on the varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox and took into account climatic factors in the various countries. "They said UV rays had not been considered as a factor with chickenpox before, but the research showed a link between global latitude and the presence of the virus." Dr Phil Rice, who led the research, said sunlight could be the key to why chickenpox spreads much more slowly and less efficiently in hot countries. He found a clear connection between UV levels and the spread of the virus. He said: "No-one had considered UV as a factor before, but when I looked at the epidemiological studies they showed a good correlation between global latitude and the presence of the virus."