Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Most cases are in children under 15, but older children and adults can catch it. It spreads very easily from person to person.
Symptoms
The classic sign is an uncomfortable, itchy rash that turns into fluid-filled blisters and then scabs. It usually starts on the face, chest and back, then spreads over the body. Other symptoms:
- fever;
- headache;
- tiredness;
- loss of appetite.
Care
Chickenpox is usually mild and lasts 5 to 10 days.
- Calamine lotion and oatmeal baths ease the itching.
- Acetaminophen can bring down the fever.
- Do not give aspirin — with chickenpox it can cause Reye syndrome.
Who can get very sick
Adults, babies, teenagers, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems tend to get sicker, and may need antiviral medicines.
After chickenpox
The virus usually stays in the body. You probably won't get chickenpox again, but the virus can later cause shingles in adults.
Prevention
The chickenpox vaccine prevents most cases, or makes the illness milder if you do catch it.
Sources
- "Chickenpox," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://medlineplus.gov/chickenpox.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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