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   Chicken Pox - Fact Sheet What causes chickenpox? Chickenpox is caused by a virus, the varicella-zoster virus. - How does chickenpox spread? Chickenpox spreads from person to person by direct contact or through the air from an infected person’s coughing or sneezing. It is highly contagious. It can also spread through direct contact with the fluid from a blister of a person infected with chickenpox or from direct contact with a sore from a person with shingles.
- How long does it take to show signs of chickenpox after being exposed? It takes from 10-21 days to develop symptoms after being exposed to a person infected with chickenpox. The usual time period is 14-16 days.
- What are the symptoms of chickenpox?
The most common symptoms of chickenpox are rash, fever, cough, headache, and loss of appetite. The rash usually develops on the scalp and body, and then spreads to the face, arms, and legs. The rash usually forms 200 – 500 itchy blisters in several successive crops. The illness lasts about 5 – 10 days. - How serious is chickenpox? Many cases of chickenpox are mild. Children with average cases of chickenpox are uncomfortable and need to be kept out of daycare or school for a week or more.
- How do I know if my child has chickenpox? Usually chickenpox can be diagnosed by disease history and appearance alone. Adults who need to know if they have had chickenpox in the past can have this determined by a laboratory test.
- How long is a person with chickenpox contagious? Patients with chickenpox are contagious for 1 - 2 days before the rash appears and continue to be contagious until all the blisters are crusted over (usually 6-8 days).
- Is there a treatment for chickenpox? Most cases of chickenpox in otherwise healthy children are treated with bed rest, fluids, and control of fever. Children with chickenpox should not receive aspirin because of the possible subsequent risk of Reye's syndrome. Acetaminophen may be given for fever control. The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine was licensed for use in Japan and Korea in 1988 and in the United States in 1995. In 2005, a combination vaccine containing live attenuated measles-mumps-rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine was licensed for use in persons age 12 months through age 12 years.The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine was licensed for use in Japan and Korea in 1988 and in the United States in 1995. In 2005, a combination vaccine containing live attenuated measles-mumps-rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine was licensed for use in persons age 12 months through age 12 years.
- How common is chickenpox in the United States? Because it is so easy to catch chickenpox, almost every adult in the United States has been infected. Until a vaccine became available, there were an estimated four million cases/year. Since the vaccine was licensed in 1995, the number of cases of chickenpox had fallen 83%-93% by 2004.How common is chickenpox in the United States? Because it is so easy to catch chickenpox, almost every adult in the United States has been infected. Until a vaccine became available, there were an estimated four million cases/year. Since the vaccine was licensed in 1995, the number of cases of chickenpox had fallen 83%-93% by 2004.
- Can you get chickenpox more than once? Most people are immune to chickenpox after having the disease. However, second cases of chickenpox do occur. The frequency of second cases is not known with certainty, but this appears to be an uncommon event.
- If I think my child has been exposed to chickenpox, what should I do? If the child has had chickenpox or has been vaccinated, nothing needs to be done. It is recommended that a susceptible person (one who has never had chickenpox) receive the chickenpox vaccine as soon as possible after being exposed to the virus. There is evidence that the vaccine may prevent illness or reduce the seriousness of the disease, if given within 3 to 5 days following exposure. Even if the person was not infected with the chickenpox virus from the exposure, receiving the vaccination will prevent future disease.
- How is this vaccine administered?The chickenpox vaccine is a shot.
- Who should get this vaccine? Chickenpox vaccine is recommended for the following: All children younger than age 13 years (one dose at 12-15 months and a second dose at age 4-6 years);Everyone aged 13 years and older who has never had chickenpox (two doses, given 4-8 weeks apart);Anyone missing a dose at the recommended times should get the shot at their next visit to their doctor or clinic.
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