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| Chicken Pox |
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| What is chickenpox? |
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Chickenpox is a common illness that causes an itchy
rash and red spots or blisters (pox) all over the body.
It is most common in children, but most people will get
chickenpox at some point in their lives if they have
not had the chickenpox vaccine.
Chickenpox usually isn't serious in healthy |
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children.
But it can cause problems for pregnant women, newborns, teens and adults, and people who have immune system
problems that make it hard for the body to fight infection.
After you have had chickenpox, you are not likely to get it
again. But the virus stays in your body long after you get
over the illness. If the virus becomes active again, it can
cause a painful viral infection called shingles. |
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What causes chickenpox, and how is it spread? |
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It
can spread easily. You can get it from an infected person
who sneezes, coughs, or shares food or drinks. You can also
get it if you touch the fluid from a chickenpox blister.
A person who has chickenpox can spread the virus even before he or she has any
symptoms. Chickenpox is most easily spread from 2 to 3 days before the rash appears
until all the blisters have crusted over.
You are at risk for chickenpox if you have never had the illness and have not
had the chickenpox vaccine. If someone you live with gets chickenpox, your risk
is even higher because of the close contact. |
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What are the symptoms? |
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The first symptoms of chickenpox often are a fever, a headache,
and a sore throat. You or your child may feel sick, tired, and
not very hungry. The chickenpox rash usually appears about 1
or 2 days after the first symptoms start. Some children get the
chickenpox rash without having a fever or other early symptoms.
It usually takes 14 to 16 days to get the symptoms of chickenpox
after you have been around someone with the virus. This is called
the incubation period.
After a chickenpox red spot appears, it usually takes about 1 or
2 days for the spot to go through all its stages. This includes
blistering, bursting, drying, and crusting over. New red spots
will appear every day for up to 5 to 7 days.
You or your child can go back to work, school, or day care when
all blisters have crusted over. This is usually about 10 days after
the first symptoms start. |
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How is chickenpox diagnosed? |
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Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and will examine
you. This usually gives your doctor enough information to find
out if you have chickenpox |
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