What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox (varicella) is a contagious illness that causes an itchy rash and red spots or blisters (pox) all over the body. Chickenpox 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.

Chickenpox usually isn't a serious health problem in healthy children. But children who have chickenpox need to stay home from school so they don't spread it to others.

The first symptoms of chickenpox usually start about 14 to 16 days after contact with a person infected with the virus. These symptoms include:

• A fever.
• Feeling sick, tired, and sluggish.
• Having little or no appetite.
• Headache, cough, and sore throat.

These symptoms are usually mild in children, but they can be severe in teens and adults. The symptoms may last throughout the illness.

The itchy chickenpox rash usually appears about 1 or 2 days after the first symptoms start. After a red spot appears, it goes through stages. It will blister, burst, dry, and crust over. New spots will appear every day for up to 5 to 7 days.

It usually takes about 6 days for a blister to crust over. When all the blisters have crusted over, the person with chickenpox can go back to day care, school, or work.

Chickenpox often can be diagnosed based on how the chickenpox rash looks.

Your doctor will ask you questions and will do an exam. During the exam, the doctor should be able to tell if you or your child has chickenpox.

A healthy child with chickenpox symptoms may not need to visit a doctor. You may be able to describe the symptoms to the doctor over the phone.

Teens, adults, pregnant women, and people with health problems or a weak immune system need to see a doctor as soon as they think they might have chickenpox. This is very important for pregnant women to prevent birth defects and infection.

Treatment for chickenpox depends on your age, your health, how long it's been since you were exposed to the virus, and your symptoms.

Home treatment includes rest and medicines to reduce fever and itching. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness. Soaking in oatmeal baths also helps with itching.

Most healthy children need only home treatment for chickenpox. Healthy teens and adults with chickenpox often have more severe symptoms than children and are at higher risk for problems. If you are older than age 12, are pregnant, or have a weak immune system, your doctor may want to give you a medicine or vaccine that helps protect you from the virus.

People with long-term diseases or other health problems may need more treatment. They may need immunoglobulin treatment (IG) or antiviral medicine.

Most healthy children with chickenpox need only home treatment. But all teens and adults with chickenpox need to see a doctor.

If you have chickenpox, it's best to stay quiet and rest. Over-the-counter medicines can help relieve symptoms like itching and fever.

Before you give medicine to your sick child, check with your doctor about which medicines to give and how to give them.

The chickenpox rash itches. Scratching the blisters may cause a skin infection, or scars may form after the blisters heal. Try taking oatmeal baths and using cool compresses. You can also take oral antihistamines.

Use over-the-counter fever medicines only when fever is causing discomfort. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness. Call your doctor if you or your child has a fever that lasts longer than 24 hours.