Health A-Z

What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is an infection that causes a skin rash. The disease is caused by a germ called varicella-zoster virus. (Chickenpox itself is also called varicella-zoster.) Most people will get the virus when they’re young if they haven’t had a chickenpox vaccine.

A child with chickenpox can easily give the virus to other children. Chickenpox today is much less common because most children are vaccinated when they are young. Before the first vaccine against chickenpox was approved in the U.S. in 1995, almost everyone got chickenpox. Very few had complications.

Once you’ve had chickenpox, you won’t catch it again from another person. If you’re not vaccinated, you can get chickenpox at any age. Adults who get chickenpox may become very sick, so it's better to have chickenpox when you're a child, or prevent getting it by being vaccinated.

What are the signs and symptoms of chickenpox?

Signs of chickenpox are easy to see. Healthcare providers often can look at a child's skin and know if he or she has chickenpox. Signs of chickenpox usually happen in the following order:

• Fever.
• Feeling tired.
• Headache.
• A stomachache that lasts for one or two days.
• A skin rash that is very itchy and looks like many small blisters.
• Bumps filled with a liquid that looks like milky water.
• Scabs after the blisters break.
• Skin that looks blotchy.
• Spots that fade away.

How can I help my child with chickenpox?

Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and fluids. Chickenpox will go away on its own in a week or two. To help your child feel less itchy, you can:

• Press a cool, moist rag on the rash.
• Keep your child cool.
• Encourage your child not to scratch. Trim their fingernails so they can't scratch.
• Put a lotion with antihistamines on the rash. These lotions are available at the drugstore. If you don't know what to buy, ask the pharmacist for help.
• Give your child an over-the-counter (OTC) form of antihistamine. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) and cetirizine (Zyrtec®) are two examples of OTC antihistamines.
• Give your child a cool bath or shower every day. You can also give your child an oatmeal bath. When you’re drying them off, don’t rub with the towel. Pat your child dry.

Don't give your child aspirin. Aspirin can harm children who have fevers. If your child needs a pain reliever, use acetaminophen (such as Tylenol®). If you’re not sure what product to use, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

To prevent dehydration, give your child fluids. Cold fluids and a soft bland diet will help if they have mouth sores.

What if my baby gets chickenpox?

If your newborn baby (up to age 3 months) gets chickenpox, let your healthcare provider know right away. Chickenpox is more dangerous to newborns than to other healthy people.

What complications are possible with chickenpox?

Complications from chickenpox are unlikely, but possible. They may include:

• Bacterial infections of the skin, blood, and soft tissues.
• Encephalitis.
• Pneumonia.
• Becoming dehydrated.
• Blood clotting or healing issues.
• Liver problems.

Who is more likely to have complications from chickenpox?

Healthy people who get chickenpox don’t usually have complications. However, having a severe case of chickenpox could be more dangerous for very young babies, teenagers, pregnant people and people with immunity issues, such as transplant patients. This group also includes people with cancer or HIV or people being treated with chemotherapy or steroids.

Can chickenpox be fatal?

It’s very unlikely that you will die from chickenpox. Most people recover without complications. However, people have died from chickenpox. In the U.S., that number has dropped to about 20 people per year after mass vaccinations from some 100 deaths per year before vaccines were available. Hospitalizations decreased 84% from over 10,000 per year.

How is chickenpox diagnosed?

Signs of chickenpox are easy to see. Healthcare providers often can look at a child's skin and know if they have chickenpox.