Chickenpox Fact
Sheet
PDF Version of this Fact Sheet
Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease that
is spread from person to person by touching the
blisters, saliva, or mucus of an infected person,
or from virus spread through the air. A person can
spread chickenpox from 1 to 2 days before the rash
appears until all the blisters have formed crusts
(usually about 5 days).
Symptoms start 10 to 21 days after exposure to
the virus and include fever, tiredness, and an itchy
rash with small blisters that dry up and form scabs
within 5 days. More severe but rare problems that
could occur are pneumonia (especially in adults),
skin infection, blood infection, or brain involvement
(encephalitis). If there are any signs of infection
such as redness, warmth, swelling on the skin, or
if a fever persists or comes back after it has gone
away, check with your doctor. Always call your doctor's
office before visiting so that other patients can
be protected if necessary.
Most people get chickenpox when they are
young
Approximately 90% of chickenpox cases occur in
children 1 to 14 years of age, and 90% of people
have had chickenpox by their early 20's. The disease
is usually mild, and not life threatening in otherwise
healthy children, but can be more serious in newborn
babies and in adults.
Some people are at risk of serious complications
from chickenpox
- The unborn fetus of a pregnant woman who develops
chickenpox
- A newborn baby whose mother had an onset of
chickenpox 5 days before to 2 days after delivery
- Any person with a weakened immune system, including
people with cancer, organ transplant patients,
and HIV
- Any person who acquires chickenpox as an adult
Children under 18 with chickenpox should not take
salicylates (aspirin) or aspirin-containing products
because of the risk of Reye syndrome. Instead, use
medication which contains acetaminophen (for example,
Tylenol or Tempra) to treat fever.
Prevent chickenpox infection with varicella
vaccine. Vaccine is recommended for:
- All healthy children 12 to 18 months of age
(one dose of vaccine)
- Children 19 months to 12 years of age who have
not had chickenpox (one dose of vaccine)
- Persons 13 years of age and older who have
not had chickenpox and are at high risk for exposure
(for example, living in a household with children;
teachers; institutional residents and staff; college
students; or international travelers); or persons
who have close contact with persons at high risk
for complications from chickenpox (2 doses of
vaccine, 4 to 8 weeks apart)
Prevent the spread
- If you have chickenpox, stay away from others
until the blisters are dry and crusted. Persons
with chickenpox should not attend school or child
care until the blisters are dry and crusted. In
6 to 10% of children who receive the varicella
vaccine, a mild rash may develop within 5 to 26
days after immunization; these children may still
attend school or child care.
- Premature infants, immunocompromised persons,
or pregnant women may need a shot of VZIG (varicella-zoster
immune globulin) to prevent chickenpox after exposure.
Check with your doctor for further details.
- Persons of any age who have never had chickenpox
should receive varicella vaccine within 3 to 5
days of exposure to reduce the risk of developing
chickenpox.
Pregnant women exposed to chickenpox need
to be individually evaluated by a doctor
Pregnant women who have not had chickenpox should
inform their doctors if they have symptoms of chickenpox
and/or of any contact with a person who has chickenpox.
Maryland Department of Health & Mental
Hygiene
Office of Epidemiology and Disease Control Programs
May 2002 |
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