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Summary
Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Most cases are in children under age 15, but older children and adults can get it. It spreads very easily from one person to another.
The classic symptom of chickenpox is an uncomfortable, itchy rash. The rash turns into fluid-filled blisters and eventually into scabs. It usually shows up on the face, chest, and back and then spreads to the rest of the body. Other symptoms include
- Fever
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
Chickenpox is usually mild and lasts 5 to 10 days. Calamine lotions and oatmeal baths can help with itching. Acetaminophen can treat the fever. Do not use aspirin for chickenpox; that combination can cause Reye syndrome.
Chickenpox can sometimes cause serious problems. Adults, babies, teenagers, pregnant women, and those with weak immune systems tend to get sicker from it. They may need to take antiviral medicines.
Once you catch chickenpox, the virus usually stays in your body. You probably will not get chickenpox again, but the virus can cause shingles in adults. A chickenpox vaccine can help prevent most cases of chickenpox, or make it less severe if you do get it.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Symptoms
- Chickenpox (Varicella) Signs and Symptoms (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
Diagnosis and Tests
-
Chickenpox and Shingles Tests
(National Library of Medicine)
Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Chickenpox (Varicella): Transmission (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- Chickenpox Can Be Serious. Protect Yourself and Your Child. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- Chickenpox Vaccine (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Chickenpox Vaccine: What You Need to Know (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF Also in Spanish
- MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella) Vaccine: What You Need to Know (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF Also in Spanish
- Who Needs Chickenpox Vaccine (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Treatments and Therapies
- Chickenpox Prevention and Treatment (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
- Possible Side Effects of Chickenpox Vaccine (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Postherpetic Neuralgia (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Reye Syndrome (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Travelers' Health: Varicella (Chickenpox) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Specifics
- Chickenpox (Varicella) Complications (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
Images
- Chickenpox (Varicella) Photos (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Clinical Trials
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Chickenpox
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Children
- Chickenpox (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Chickenpox - Fact Sheet for Parents (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- What Makes Chickenpox Itch? (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Adults
- Why Vaccinate Adults Against Chickenpox (National Foundation for Infectious Diseases)
Patient Handouts
- Chickenpox (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Chickenpox Vaccine: What You Need to Know (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF Also in Spanish
- MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella) Vaccine: What You Need to Know (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF Also in Spanish