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Chickenpox

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is chickenpox? " пїЅ Chickenpox is an infection that causes itchy, red bumps to form on your skin. It is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster virus. This virus can linger in your body for years and later cause a painful rash called "shingles. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

Chickenpox used to be much more common than it is now. Today there is a vaccine (a shot) that helps keep people from getting infected. The vaccine is called the varicella vaccine. пїЅ пїЅ

Who should get the varicella vaccine? " пїЅ Almost all children should get a shot of the varicella vaccine when they are 12 to 18 months old. Then they should get a second shot when they are 4 to 6 years old. Everyone needs 2 separate shots for the vaccine to work best. People who have not gotten the second shot can still get sick with chickenpox. пїЅ пїЅ

Adults who have never had chickenpox and have not had the vaccine should get the vaccine if they: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Work in healthcare or with small children
  • Are in close contact with people who have trouble fighting infections, such as people with cancer or HIV
  • Live or work in a college, prison, or other place where a lot of people live close together
  • Travel outside the US and Canada
  • Are women younger than 45

Who should not get the varicella vaccine? " пїЅ Doctors do NOT recommend the varicella vaccine for: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Children who have trouble fighting infections
  • Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon
  • Children and adults who have had chickenpox
  • People who were born before 1980 (most people born before 1980 have had chickenpox even if they dont remember it)

What are the most common side effects of the varicella vaccine? " пїЅ The most common side effect is pain where the shot was given. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of chickenpox? " пїЅ When you first get chickenpox, you usually: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Get a fever
  • Feel sick
  • Get a sore throat
  • Do not feel like eating

About a day after these symptoms start, the chickenpox rash shows up. It starts out as groups of small, usually itchy, red bumps. These bumps usually swell with fluid and then pop. After that, the rash dries up and forms a scab. The rash lasts about a week. пїЅ пїЅ

How does chickenpox spread? " пїЅ If you have not had chickenpox or the varicella vaccine, you can catch chickenpox just by being around someone who is infected. пїЅ пїЅ

Should I go to the doctor or nurse if I think my child or I have chickenpox? " пїЅ No. Do not go to the doctor or nurse without calling first. Your doctor or nurse might be able to tell you what to do over the phone. That way you will not risk infecting other people at the doctor's office. пїЅ пїЅ

Will my child or I need treatment for chickenpox? " пїЅ You might need treatment, but your child might not. Most young children get over chickenpox on their own without any problems. On the other hand, older children and adults with chickenpox can sometimes have problems. For them, doctors and nurses recommend a medicine called acyclovir (brand name: Zovirax). It helps people feel better faster. пїЅ пїЅ

There are also non-prescription medicines you or your child can take to help with symptoms, such as fever and itching. But you should NEVER give aspirin to a child who is younger than 18 years old. In children, aspirin can cause a dangerous condition called Reye syndrome. пїЅ пїЅ

What should I do if I was near someone with chickenpox? " пїЅ If you have not had the varicella vaccine, call your doctor right away. It might still be possible to avoid getting sick! The varicella vaccine can work even if someone has already been near the virus. For people who cannot have the vaccine, there are other options that can help keep them from getting sick. пїЅ пїЅ

What if I am pregnant and think I might be getting chickenpox? " пїЅ Call your doctor or nurse right away! Call also if you were near someone with chickenpox or shingles, a painful rash related to the chickenpox virus. пїЅ пїЅ

Getting chickenpox while you are pregnant can cause problems for you and your baby. But there is a medicine that can help " пїЅ if you get it soon enough. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 15375 Version 6.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

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This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

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пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ