Chickenpox

Overview

Chickenpox (also called varicella) is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It’s a very contagious virus that causes an itchy and blistery rash that lasts around 4–7 days. The vaccine that protects against chickenpox is the varicella vaccine.

Spread (Transmission)

Chickenpox is very contagious and mainly spreads to unvaccinated people who have not had the virus. The virus is contagious 1–2 days before the person shows signs of the rash, and will remain contagious until the blisters have scabbed over. There is a slim chance that a vaccinated person can develop chickenpox, and that person is contagious until they haven’t had any lesions appear for 24 hours.

Up to 9 out of 10 people who are not immune and near someone with chickenpox will become infected. It takes about 2 weeks for someone exposed to the virus to become sick with chickenpox.

VZV is the same virus that causes shingles. When someone has had chickenpox and has recovered, the virus remains dormant in their body and can come out again later in life as shingles. Someone with shingles can infect someone who has not been immune to chickenpox and that person will develop chickenpox. Someone can get chickenpox from a person who has shingles through the fluid in the blisters or if the particles of virus from the blisters become airborne.

Symptoms

The classic chickenpox rash turns into blisters that are itchy and fluid-filled, which eventually turn into scabs. The rash often starts on the chest, back, and face and then spreads to the rest of the body. It usually takes about a week for the blisters to become scabs.

A person with chickenpox may have as many as 500 blisters on their body, which eventually scab and can cause life-long scaring.

Treatment

Treatment for chickenpox may include antiviral medications, over-the-counter medications, and home remedies.

Complications

Chickenpox can be serious and life-threatening. People at the highest risk for complications are pregnant people, babies, and people with weakened immune systems.

Some people are hospitalized for chickenpox. It doesn’t happen often, but some people can die from chickenpox.

Vaccine

Protection from chickenpox is possible with the chickenpox vaccine. Everyone should get two doses of the chickenpox vaccine if they haven’t had chickenpox or were never vaccinated before. The vaccine prevents almost all cases of severe illness from getting chickenpox.

Since the U.S. implemented the vaccine in their childhood recommended vaccine schedule in 1995, there has been over a 97% decrease in cases, and hospitalizations and deaths have become rare.

Myths/Strange Things

Some parents participate in “chickenpox parties” to expose their unvaccinated children to chickenpox. These parents believe that getting the disease is better than being vaccinated. CDC strongly recommends against doing this as chickenpox can have severe and serious consequences. The vaccine is the best way to protect a person from chickenpox.

CDC Resources