Read more about shingles. There is a chickenpox vaccine, but it is not part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. The vaccine is only offered to children and adults who are particularly vulnerable to chickenpox complications. So it may be possible to develop the infection after vaccination. Similarly, there is a chance that someone who has received the vaccine could develop chickenpox after coming in close contact with a person who has shingles.
The most commonly recognised chickenpox symptom is a spotty, blistering red rash that can cover the entire body. However, the spots can be anywhere on the body, even inside the ears and mouth, on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and inside the nappy area. Although the rash starts as small, itchy red spots, these develop a blister on top and become intensely itchy after about hours.
After a day or two, the fluid in the blisters gets cloudy and they begin to dry out and crust over. New spots can keep appearing in waves for 3 to 5 days after the rash begins. Therefore, different clusters of spots may be at different stages of blistering or drying out.
Read more about how to ease the itchiness and other symptoms of chickenpox in our section on chickenpox treatments. Find out what you can do to stop chickenpox spreading. Before the rash appears, you or your child may have some mild flu -like symptoms, including:. These flu-like symptoms, especially the fever, tend to be more common and worse in adults than in children. Most healthy children and adults recover from chickenpox with no lasting ill-effects simply by resting, just as with a cold or the flu.
Read more about chickenpox complications. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. You catch it by coming into contact with someone who is infected. Chickenpox is a very contagious infection. The chickenpox virus is spread most easily from someone who has the rash. The blisters are very itchy and break open easily, which can contaminate surfaces or objects. The virus may then be transferred by touching the surface or object, then touching your face.
The virus is also contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This can also contaminate surfaces or objects. It normally takes 14 days for the symptoms of chickenpox to show after you have come into contact with the virus. However, this can vary from person to person — from as little as 7 days, up to 21 days.
This is called the "incubation period". Someone with chickenpox is most infectious from 1 to 2 days before the rash appears, until all the blisters have crusted over. This usually takes 5 to 6 days from the start of the rash. Read more about the diagnosis of chickenpox and how to stop chickenpox spreading. If you have not had chickenpox before, you can also catch chickenpox from someone with shingles an infection caused by the same virus.
However, it's not possible to catch shingles from someone who has chickenpox. You or your child should not usually need any medical tests to diagnose chickenpox. You can be pretty sure that it is chickenpox if there are the key symptoms of a mild fever followed by an itchy rash, with blisters and scabs. Chickenpox spots are usually distinctive enough to distinguish from other rashes, although they can be confused with other conditions that affect the skin, such as insect bites or scabies another contagious skin condition that causes intense itching.
If you're uncertain about what is causing the symptoms, your GP can carry out a simple blood test to identify the virus. Find your local GP surgery. Contact your GP urgently if you have been in contact with someone who has chickenpox, or you have chickenpox symptoms and:. Chickenpox in these instances can cause serious complications, if left untreated. It is essential to seek medical advice so that you can receive any necessary treatment.
Contact your GP if you have chickenpox and are breastfeeding. They can advise about whether you should continue breastfeeding your baby. Once you have contacted your GP, you may need a test to see if you're already immune from chickenpox. If you have had chickenpox in the past, it is extremely unlikely that you will develop chickenpox for a second time. If you've never had chickenpox, or you're unsure whether you've had it, you may need an immunity test.
This is a blood test that checks whether you are producing the antibodies to the chickenpox virus. If your blood test result shows that you have the antibodies, you'll be naturally protected from the virus. If you don't have the antibodies, you'll need to be monitored closely to see if you develop chickenpox symptoms.
If you do, further treatment may be needed. Read more about chickenpox treatment. There is no cure for chickenpox, and the virus usually clears up by itself without any treatment.
However, there are ways of easing the itch and discomfort, and there are important steps you can take to stop chickenpox spreading. If your child is in pain or has a high temperature fever , you can give them a mild painkiller, such as paracetamol available over the counter in pharmacies.
Always read the manufacturer's dosage instructions. Paracetamol is the preferred painkiller for treating the associated symptoms of chickenpox. This is due to a very small risk of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen , causing adverse skin reactions during chickenpox. Avoid giving your child ibuprofen if they have asthma or a history of stomach problems. If you're not sure whether ibuprofen is suitable, check with your GP or pharmacist.
If your child is younger than 3 months old, you should always speak to your GP before giving your child any kind of pain relief. If you're pregnant and need to take painkillers, then paracetamol is the first choice. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Signs and Symptoms. Minus Related Pages. Related Links. Who is at risk for chickenpox? Most people who have had chickenpox will be immune to the disease for the rest of their lives.
However, the virus remains inactive in nerve tissue and may reactivate later in life causing shingles. Very rarely, a second case of chickenpox does happen. Blood tests can confirm immunity to chickenpox in people who are unsure if they have had the disease. What are the symptoms of chickenpox? Symptoms may include: Fatigue and irritability one to two days before the rash begins Itchy rash on the trunk, face, scalp, under the armpits, on the upper arms and legs, and inside the mouth.
The rash appears in several crops. It starts as flat red spots and progresses to raised red bumps that then become blisters. Feeling ill Decreased appetite The initial symptoms of chickenpox may resemble other infections.
How is chickenpox diagnosed? How is chickenpox treated? Specific treatment for chickenpox will be determined by your healthcare provider based on: Your overall health and medical history Extent of the condition Your tolerance for specific medicines, procedures, or therapies Expectations for the course of the condition Your opinion or preference Treatment for chickenpox may include: Acetaminophen to reduce fever.
Skin lotion to relieve itchiness Antiviral drugs for severe cases Bed rest Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration Cool baths with baking soda to relieve itching Children should not scratch the blisters because it could lead to secondary bacterial infections.
What are the complications of chickenpox? Complications may include: Secondary bacterial infections Pneumonia lung infections Encephalitis inflammation of the brain Cerebellar ataxia defective muscular coordination Transverse myelitis inflammation along the spinal cord Reye syndrome.
This is a serious condition marked by a group of symptoms that may affect all major systems or organs. Do not give aspirin to children with chickenpox. It increases the risk for Reye syndrome. This is called postherpetic neuralgia and can be severe.
The shingles vaccine Shingrix is recommended for adults who have had chickenpox. Shingrix is approved and recommended for people age 50 and older, including those who've previously received another shingles vaccine Zostavax. Zostavax, which isn't recommended until age 60, is no longer sold in the United States. The chickenpox varicella vaccine is the best way to prevent chickenpox.
When the vaccine doesn't provide complete protection, it significantly lessens the severity of chickenpox. Young children. In the United States, children receive two doses of the varicella vaccine — the first between ages 12 and 15 months and the second between ages 4 and 6 years — as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. The vaccine can be combined with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, but for some children between the ages of 12 and 23 months, the combination may increase the risk of fever and seizure from the vaccine.
Discuss the pros and cons of combining the vaccines with your child's doctor. Unvaccinated adults who've never had chickenpox and are at high risk of exposure. This includes health care workers, teachers, child care employees, international travelers, military personnel, adults who live with young children and all women of childbearing age. Adults who've never had chickenpox or been vaccinated usually receive two doses of the vaccine, four to eight weeks apart.
If you don't remember whether you've had chickenpox or the vaccine, a blood test can determine your immunity. Talk to your doctor if you're unsure about your need for the vaccine.
If you're planning on becoming pregnant, consult with your doctor to make sure you're up to date on your vaccinations before conceiving a child. Parents typically wonder whether vaccines are safe.
Since the chickenpox vaccine became available, studies have consistently found it to be safe and effective. Side effects are generally mild and include redness, soreness, swelling and, rarely, small bumps at the site of the shot. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
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