Chickenpox is a very contagious viral illness that causes an itchy, blister-like rash, fever, and tiredness. It’s usually mild in healthy children but can be serious in babies, adults, pregnant people, and those with weak immune systems. Vaccination has made it much less common.
How it spreads
- Through the air (coughing/sneezing) and direct contact with blisters.
- You can catch it from someone with shingles if you’ve never had chickenpox or the vaccine.
Symptoms
- Fever, tiredness, headache.
- Itchy rash that starts on the chest/back/face and spreads. Spots turn into fluid-filled blisters, then scab over.
- New “crops” of spots can appear for several days, so you might see bumps, blisters, and scabs at the same time.
When to call a clinician
- Trouble breathing, confusion, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, or the person seems very unwell.
- Blisters become very red, swollen, or painful (could be bacterial infection).
- Newborns, pregnant people, adults, or anyone with a weakened immune system who is exposed or has symptoms.
Care at home
- Itch relief: cool baths, colloidal oatmeal baths, calamine lotion; keep nails short or use mittens for young kids.
- Fever/pain: acetaminophen. Avoid aspirin in children and teens (risk of Reye’s syndrome). Ask before using ibuprofen.
- Fluids and rest. Stay home until all blisters are crusted (usually about a week).
Antiviral medication
- May be prescribed for people at higher risk (teens/adults, chronic skin/lung disease, on certain medicines) if started early.
- People exposed who are at high risk and not immune may get preventive medication or immune globulin—call promptly.
Prevention: Vaccine
- Varicella vaccine is safe and effective. Children get 2 doses; older kids/adults without immunity should catch up.
- If you’re exposed, getting the vaccine within 3–5 days may help prevent or lessen illness.