Clinical Features of Chickenpox (Varicella)

Key points

• Varicella progresses rapidly from macular to papular to vesicular lesions before crusting.
• The most common chickenpox complications are bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues in children and pneumonia in adults.
• Breakthrough varicella is often mild, so it can be difficult to make a diagnosis on clinical presentation alone.

Clinical features

A mild prodrome of fever and malaise may occur 1 to 2 days before rash onset, particularly in adults. In children, the rash is often the first sign of disease.

Symptoms in unvaccinated patients

The rash is generalized and pruritic. It progresses rapidly from macular to papular to vesicular lesions before crusting. Lesions are typically present in all stages of development at the same time.

The rash usually appears on the chest, back, and face first, then spreads over the entire body. The lesions are usually most concentrated on the chest and back. Symptoms typically last 4 to 7 days.

In healthy children, varicella is generally mild, with an itchy rash, malaise, and temperature up to 102°F for 2 to 3 days. Infants, adolescents, adults, pregnant women, and immunocompromised people are at risk for more severe disease and have a higher incidence of complications.

Recovery from primary varicella infection usually provides immunity for life. In otherwise healthy people, a second occurrence of varicella is uncommon. The second occurrence of varicella may be more likely to occur in people with weakened immune systems.

As with other viral infections, re-exposure to natural (wild-type) varicella may lead to re-infection that boosts antibody titers without causing illness or detectable viremia.

[](https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/hcp/communication-resources/varicella-diagnosis-fact-sheet.html)

Varicella Diagnosis Fact Sheet

Learn how to promptly recognize and diagnose varicella.

Symptoms in vaccinated patients (breakthrough varicella)

Breakthrough varicella is infection with wild-type varicella-zoster virus (VZV) occurring in a vaccinated person more than 42 days after varicella vaccination.

Breakthrough varicella is usually mild. Patients typically are afebrile or have low fever and develop fewer than 50 skin lesions. They usually have a shorter illness compared to unvaccinated people who get varicella. The rash is more likely to be predominantly maculopapular rather than vesicular. However, 25% to 30% of people vaccinated with one dose who get breakthrough varicella will have clinical features similar to unvaccinated people with varicella.

[](https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/hcp/communication-resources/breakthrough-varicella-infographic.html)

Breakthrough Varicella Fact Sheet

Learn what breakthrough varicella (chickenpox) looks like in vaccinated people.

How common is breakthrough varciella

Breakthrough varicella **occurs less frequently **among those who have received two doses of vaccine compared with those who have received only one dose. Disease may be even milder among two-dose vaccine recipients, although the information about this is limited.

Lab confirmation is key!‎

Since the clinical features of breakthrough varicella are often mild, it can be difficult to make a diagnosis on clinical presentation alone. Laboratory testing is increasingly important for confirming varicella and appropriately managing the patients and their contacts.

Common signs

[](https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/signs-symptoms/photos.html)

Photos of Chickenpox

View photo examples of chickenpox rash on the human body.

Most common complications from varicella:‎

Bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues in children and pneumonia in adults.

Severe complications caused by the virus include cerebellar ataxia, encephalitis, viral pneumonia, and hemorrhagic conditions. Other severe complications are due to bacterial infections and include:

• Septicemia
• Toxic shock syndrome
• Necrotizing fasciitis
• Osteomyelitis
• Bacterial pneumonia
• Septic arthritis

Laboratory testing

Laboratory Testing for Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)

Learn about lab testing for varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the cause of chickenpox and shingles.

Specimen Collection for Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Testing

Learn about collecting and shipping specimens for VZV testing, and sources for suitable supplies.

Resources

• Clinical Overview of Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Clinical Guidance for People at Risk for Severe Varicella

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