Chickenpox (Varicella)

Most cases of chickenpox start as a rash on the chest, back and face. The rash turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that eventually turns into scabs. Over time the rash spreads to the rest of the body. Within one week the blisters usually turn into scabs and the virus resolves. 

Chickenpox is highly contagious. Up to 90% of people who are not immune and have close contact with an infected person will also become infected. 

A person with chickenpox is contagious 1 to 2 days before the rash begins. They remain contagious until all the chickenpox lesions have scabbed over.

If a vaccinated person gets the disease, they can still spread it to others. Vaccinated people who get chickenpox may develop lesions that do not crust. These people are contagious until no new lesions have appeared for 24 hours.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent chickenpox. Contact a healthcare provider if you have been exposed to chickenpox or shingles. 

DO NOT:

The CDC does NOT recommend using aspirin for children with chickenpox. The use of aspirin in children with chickenpox is associated with Reye's syndrome, a severe disease that affects the liver and brain and can cause death.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding treatment with ibuprofen if possible. Ibuprofen has been associated with life-threatening bacterial skin infections.

DO:

Talk to your healthcare provider.

Use non-aspirin medications, such as acetaminophen, to help ease fever from chickenpox. 

Try calamine lotion and a cool bath with added baking soda, uncooked oatmeal, or colloidal oatmeal may help ease itching.

Try to keep fingernails trimmed short and minimize scratching to prevent the virus from spreading to others and to help prevent skin infections.

If you scratch a blister, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

The CDC website has detailed treatment options. Visit the CDC website by clicking here. 

The best way to protect against chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccine. The chickenpox vaccine prevents almost all cases of severe illness.

Chickenpox is usually mild. However, it can be serious during pregnancy, in infants under 12 months old, adolescents, adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

Some people get so sick that they need to be hospitalized. It doesn’t happen often, but people can die from chickenpox. Most people who are vaccinated with 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine will be protected for life.

The two-dose chickenpox vaccine is recommended for everyone 12 months and older who have not had chickenpox. Children may receive the first dose at 12 months of age and the second dose can be administered at age 4. Individuals older than four years of age can still participate in this two-dose vaccination series. Most people who get the vaccine will be protected for life and not get chickenpox.

Children may receive the vaccination in two ways:

• MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) as a combination vaccine

       OR

• MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and varicella (chickenpox) may be recieved separately

Becoming vaccinated after exposure to chickenpox may prevent the disease or make it less serious. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have been exposed to chickenpox.

If a vaccinated person does get chickenpox, called breakthrough chickenpox, the symptoms are usually mild. Vaccinated people often experience fewer to no blisters and low or no fever, but red spots may occur.