Varicella, also known as chickenpox, is an infection caused by a virus. It typically leads to bumps that cover the whole body. While varicella used to be an extremely common childhood illness, fewer children get the condition now that a vaccine is available.
Once varicella clears up, it rarely comes back. However, varicella may sometimes return in people with weakened immune systems.
The main symptom of varicella is an itchy rash that changes in appearance over time:
This cycle may continue repeatedly — new bumps may form as old ones are scabbing over. In total, the rash may last for five to 10 days.
Other varicella symptoms include fever, headache, low appetite, muscle aches, and general feelings of sickness. These other signs may occur at the same time as the rash or appear a day or two before the rash forms. These symptoms are less common in those who have been vaccinated.
Varicella develops when you are exposed to the varicella-zoster virus. This virus spreads very easily from person to person. You may develop varicella if you have physical contact with an infected person or if you inhale air droplets that contain the virus.
A person with varicella becomes contagious a day or two before the rash develops, and can continue to spread the illness until all their spots have crusted over or after new spots have started forming.
Varicella sometimes leads to other health problems called complications. Children may develop additional infections caused by bacteria. Adults are more likely to experience pneumonia, an infection of the air sacs of the lungs.
Rarely, varicella can cause severe problems like trouble moving correctly (ataxia), brain swelling (encephalitis), or bleeding problems.
A common complication of varicella is shingles. This rash can develop many years or even decades after a varicella infection. Shingles leads to blisters that may be very painful or itchy. It usually appears as a stripe on just one side of the body. This condition can also cause a fever, nausea, or headache. About 1 out of 3 people who have had varicella will later develop shingles.
Chickenpox may go away on its own. However, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and make sure any potential problems are addressed. In rare cases, varicella can be serious or even fatal.
To manage the condition, you can try:
Ask your doctor before you or your child takes any medications. In particular, avoid giving your child medications that contain aspirin, as this can lead to a serious complication called Reye’s syndrome.
Some people may be at risk for more severe varicella, including those over the age of 12, individuals with skin conditions or lung diseases, or people taking steroids. If you are in one of these categories, your doctor may recommend antiviral medications to reduce the risk of complications.
Make sure to stay home if you have varicella to avoid spreading it to other people.
Varicella and shingles can be prevented with a vaccine. About 98% of people who receive both vaccine doses won’t get varicella, even if they are exposed to it. In rare cases, people can still get varicella after getting vaccinated, but they usually have mild cases and a low risk of developing complications.