Symptoms
The symptoms of chickenpox can vary in severity, but the most common symptoms include:
- Fever: A fever is usually the first sign of chickenpox and may be accompanied by feeling unwell, tiredness, and loss of appetite. The fever can range from mild to high and may last for several days.
- Rash: The most distinctive symptom of chickenpox is a rash of itchy, blister-like lesions that appear on the skin. The rash usually begins on the face, scalp, and chest, and then spreads to the rest of the body. The blisters are usually pink or red and are filled with fluid. They may break open and crust over within a few days. The rash typically appears in crops, with new lesions appearing as older ones crust over.
- Itching: The rash is usually itchy, which can be a source of discomfort for children. The itching may be relieved by over-the-counter medications or by applying calamine lotion to the affected areas.
- Other symptoms: Other common symptoms of chickenpox include a headache, sore throat, cough, and loss of appetite. Children may also experience body aches, abdominal pain, and swollen lymph nodes.
Causes
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is a member of the herpesvirus family. VZV is highly contagious and is spread through the air when an infected person talks, sneezes, or coughs, or by direct contact with the fluid from chickenpox blisters. The virus is most contagious one to two days before the rash appears and until all the blisters have crusted over.
People who have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated against the virus are at risk of contracting the disease. Children are especially susceptible to chickenpox, but adults can also get the disease if they have not been previously infected or vaccinated. People with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or cancer, are more likely to develop severe complications from chickenpox, such as pneumonia, encephalitis, or sepsis. Pregnant women who have not had chickenpox or been vaccinated are at risk of developing severe chickenpox and may also pass the virus on to their unborn child, which can cause birth defects or stillbirth. It is important for people who are at high risk of complications to take steps to prevent the disease, such as getting vaccinated or avoiding close contact with infected individuals.