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Overview

What Is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It commonly causes an itchy rash that changes from red spots to fluid-filled blisters and then scabs. Chickenpox spreads easily, especially among people who have not had the infection or vaccine. It is often milder in children than in some adults, and the same virus can later reactivate as shingles.

Symptoms

Chickenpox Symptoms

Chickenpox symptoms may begin before the rash appears, with general feelings of illness followed by new spots. New lesions can continue to appear while older ones become blisters and then scabs, so different stages may be visible at the same time.

  • Fever may occur before or during the rash.
  • Tiredness can make normal activities more difficult.
  • Headache may occur during the early illness.
  • Loss of appetite is common, especially in children.
  • Itchy red spots may begin on the face, chest, or back and spread.
  • Fluid-filled blisters can form on the red spots.
  • Scabs develop as the blisters dry and heal.

How It Spreads

How Chickenpox Spreads

The varicella-zoster virus spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, and through contact with fluid from chickenpox blisters. A person is usually contagious from about one to two days before the rash begins until every blister has crusted over. Because chickenpox spreads easily, people with symptoms should take steps to avoid exposing others.

  • Stay home and avoid school, work, and group activities while contagious.
  • Avoid close contact with pregnant people, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems.
  • Call a healthcare professional before an in-person visit so the office can reduce exposure to others.

Risk Factors

Chickenpox Risk Factors

  • People with no prior chickenpox infection or varicella vaccination are more likely to become infected.
  • Close household or school exposure increases the chance of catching chickenpox.
  • Adults who are not immune may have more severe illness than children.
  • Pregnancy increases concern because infection can affect the pregnant person and developing baby.
  • Newborns may be at higher risk of serious illness.
  • People with a weakened immune system have a greater risk of complications.

Complications

Chickenpox Complications

Most healthy children recover from chickenpox without serious problems. Possible complications include bacterial infection of the skin lesions, pneumonia, dehydration, inflammation of the cerebellum or brain, and severe infection that affects multiple parts of the body.

  • Adults may have more severe chickenpox and are more likely to develop complications.
  • Pregnant people may need early medical guidance because infection can be more serious.
  • Newborns can become seriously ill, particularly after exposure around the time of birth.
  • People with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of severe or complicated chickenpox.

SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE

Watch for serious symptoms

Seek prompt medical advice for breathing difficulty, confusion, severe dehydration, rapidly worsening illness, or skin that becomes increasingly red, warm, painful, swollen, or covered with pus.

Diagnosis

How Chickenpox Is Diagnosed

A clinician usually diagnoses chickenpox by reviewing symptoms, vaccination and exposure history, and examining the rash. They may look at where the rash appears and whether spots, blisters, and scabs are present at different stages.

If the diagnosis is unclear or confirmation is important, a laboratory test may be used. The most common test is a PCR test taken from material in a skin lesion.

Treatment & Management

Chickenpox Treatment and Management

  • Drink plenty of fluids to help prevent dehydration.
  • Keep fingernails short and clean to reduce skin damage from scratching.
  • Use gentle skin care and avoid harsh soaps or rubbing the rash.
  • Cool baths may soothe itching and irritation.
  • Use itch-relief medicines only when recommended or approved by a clinician for the person’s age.

MEDICATION SAFETY

Use medicines carefully

Do not give aspirin to children with chickenpox because of the risk of a serious reaction. Ask a clinician before using ibuprofen, and use only age-appropriate medicines as directed.

A clinician may prescribe an antiviral medicine for selected people at higher risk or for those with severe disease. Antibiotics do not treat the varicella-zoster virus, but they may be needed if a bacterial infection develops in the skin lesions.

Prevention

Chickenpox Prevention

The varicella vaccine, also called the chickenpox vaccine or chickenpox injection, is the best way to prevent infection and severe illness. Eligible people receive the recommended vaccine series according to their age and health history.

  • Ask a healthcare professional whether you have evidence of immunity to chickenpox.
  • After exposure, contact a clinician promptly to ask whether vaccination or another preventive step is appropriate.
  • Avoid close contact with others while contagious until all lesions have crusted over.
  • Do not deliberately expose children to chickenpox because the illness can cause serious complications.

Outlook and Prognosis

Chickenpox Outlook and Prognosis

Uncomplicated chickenpox usually improves as the spots dry and form scabs. A person remains contagious until all lesions have crusted over, and recovery may be more difficult for adults and other higher-risk groups.

After chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus remains inactive in the body. It can reactivate years later as shingles, although not everyone who has had chickenpox will develop shingles.

When Should You See a Doctor

When Should You See a Doctor for Chickenpox?

CALL A CLINICIAN PROMPTLY

Know the urgent warning signs

Seek urgent medical advice for trouble breathing, severe headache or confusion, repeated vomiting, signs of dehydration, rapidly spreading redness or pus around blisters, or a condition that is rapidly worsening.

  • Contact a healthcare professional promptly if chickenpox occurs during pregnancy.
  • Seek medical advice for a newborn with possible chickenpox or after significant exposure.
  • People with weakened immune systems should contact a clinician promptly after symptoms or exposure.
  • Adults with suspected chickenpox should seek medical guidance because illness may be more severe.
  • Ask for medical advice after significant exposure if you do not know whether you are immune.

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  • Chickenpox

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