Symptoms
The symptoms of chickenpox usually develop 10 to 21 days after exposure to the virus. The most characteristic symptom is a rash that begins as small, red, itchy bumps that develop into blisters and then scab over. The rash typically starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body, including the scalp, torso, arms, and legs.
Other common symptoms of chickenpox include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Body aches
- Sore throat
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
Causes
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The virus is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person through the air or by direct contact with an infected person's fluids, such as mucus, saliva, or blister fluid. Chickenpox is most commonly spread when a person with the virus coughs or sneezes, sending droplets into the air that can be inhaled by others.