Any child or adult who has never had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it is at risk for getting the disease. Chickenpox is passed from person-to-person by direct contact or through the air by coughing and sneezing. It can also be spread by being exposed to the fluid from the blistering rash.
Once exposed, symptoms usually appear within a couple of weeks. But it may take as few as 10 and as many as 21 days for the chickenpox to develop. Chickenpox is contagious for 1 to 2 days before the rash starts and until the blisters have all dried and become scabs. The blisters usually dry and become scabs within 5 to 7 days of the onset of the rash. Children should stay home and away from other children until all of the blisters have scabbed over.
It is important that people who are infected avoid those with weak immune systems, such as those with organ transplants, HIV, or those getting cancer treatment.
Family members who have never had chickenpox have a high chance of becoming infected when another family member in the house is infected. The illness is often more severe in adults compared to children. Symptoms are usually mild in children. But symptoms may be life-threatening to adults and people of any age with weak immune systems. However, each person may experience symptoms differently.
Symptoms may include:. The initial symptoms of chickenpox may resemble other infections. Once the skin rash and blisters happen, it is usually obvious to a healthcare provider that it is chickenpox.
If a person who has been vaccinated against the disease is exposed, he or she may get a milder illness with less severe rash and mild or no fever. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. The rash of chickenpox is unique. Diagnosis can usually be made on the appearance of the rash and a history of exposure. Children should not scratch the blisters because it could lead to secondary bacterial infections.
Keep fingernails short to decrease the likelihood of scratching. Complications can happen from chickenpox. They are more common in adults and people with weak immune systems. All three stages of the chickenpox rash red bumps, blisters, and scabs appear on the body at the same time. The rash may spread wider or be more severe in kids who have weak immune systems or skin disorders like eczema. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus VZV. This virus also can cause a painful skin rash called shingles herpes zoster later in life.
After someone has had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant resting in the nervous system for the rest of their life. The virus can reactivate "wake up" later as shingles.
Kids who are vaccinated against chickenpox are much less likely to develop shingles when they get older. Chickenpox is very contagious. Most kids with a sibling who's infected also will get it if they haven't already had the infection or the vaccine , showing symptoms about 2 weeks after the first child does.
Chickenpox is contagious from about 2 days before the rash starts until all the blisters are crusted over. Someone with shingles can spread chickenpox but not shingles to people who haven't had chickenpox or the vaccine. Because chickenpox is so contagious, a child who has it should stay home and rest until the rash is gone and all blisters have dried.
This usually takes about 1 week. If you're unsure about whether your child is ready to return to school, ask your doctor. If they are exposed to chickenpox, they might be given a medicine zoster immune globulin to make the illness less severe. Most people who get the chickenpox vaccine will not get chickenpox. And if they do get chickenpox, their symptoms will be much milder. People 6 years of age and older who have never had chickenpox and aren't vaccinated can and should get two doses of the vaccine.
Kids who have had chickenpox do not need the vaccine — they usually have lifelong protection against the illness. Call your doctor if you think your child has chickenpox. The doctor can guide you in watching for complications and in choosing medicine to ease itching. If you take your child to the doctor, let the staff know ahead of time that your child might have chickenpox. It's important not to expose other kids in the office — for some of them, a chickenpox infection could cause serious complications.
Shingles can not be passed from person to person. However, a person who has not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine can get chickenpox from someone with shingles. This is uncommon and requires direct contact with the fluid from the shingles blisters. Skip to main content. Last Updated:. November Download PDF:. What is chickenpox?
Is there a vaccine? How is chickenpox spread? What are the symptoms? What is the treatment? What is the home treatment? Some steps you can take are to: Drink lots of liquids such as water, juice and soup, especially if there is a fever. If your baby is breastfeeding, feed your baby more often. Keep fingernails short and clean, and cover hands with gloves or socks at night to prevent scratching. Keep the skin cool to relieve itching. Dress lightly and avoid hot baths and showers.
Ask your pharmacist or health care provider about lotions that can reduce the itching. Prevent the spread of infection by using a household cleaner to wash any clothing or other items soiled with fluid from chickenpox blisters. Keep the infected person away from other family members who have not had chickenpox.
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