Chickenpox is a very contagious illness caused by a virus (varicella-zoster virus). Symptoms include fever and an itchy red rash of small blisters all over the body. Blisters may also appear in the mouth or vagina. New blisters will appear over the first few days. Adults with chickenpox can have more complications than children do. These include bacterial skin infections, pneumonia, and hepatitis. Though rare, the most serious complication is encephalitis, a brain infection from chickenpox. Chickenpox can be fatal. Chickenpox is spread by touching open blisters or by breathing in virus particles. The contagious period ends when all blisters have crusted over. This is often about a week after the illness starts.
Most children older than 1 year and adults who have never had chickenpox should get vaccinated to prevent this illness.
The illness often goes away in several days. But the virus that causes chickenpox stays in the body. Many years later, it can cause a new skin infection called shingles (also called herpes zoster).
Home care
If you've been diagnosed with chickenpox, follow these tips when caring for yourself:
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You may use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever, unless another medicine was prescribed. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease, talk with your health care provider before using these medicines. Also talk with your provider if you’ve had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding. Don’t give aspirin to anyone younger than age 19. It may cause a serious illness called Reye syndrome. It may cause severe liver and brain damage.
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Often adults may be treated with antiviral medicines. Take these medicines exactly as prescribed.
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You can ease itching and pain by mixing cool water with cornstarch, baking soda, and commercial oatmeal bath powder. The oatmeal bath powder is available without a prescription. Use this mixture as a compress for the area. This will soothe the skin. Calamine or another anti-itch lotion may help.
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Don't scratch or rub the itchy areas. Scratching increases the risk for infections and scars.
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Diphenhydramine is a common antihistamine sold at grocery stores and pharmacies. It comes as a pill or cream. When chickenpox causes widespread itching and sores are open, use the pill form. Use caution because this medicine may make you sleepy. There are other antihistamines that may cause less drowsiness. They may be better choices for daytime use.
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Bathe daily with lukewarm water. Wash the rash gently with mild soap to help prevent infection.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your health care provider, or as advised, if the above tips don’t help.
When to get medical advice
Call your health care provider or get care right away if you have a weak immune system (for any reason) and have signs of chickenpox.
If you've been diagnosed with chickenpox, call your provider or get medical care right away if you have any of these:
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Signs of skin infection, such as colored drainage from the sores or sore redness or tenderness that gets worse
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Trouble breathing or coughing
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A lot of vomiting
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Severe headache, stiff neck, or confusion
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Joint pain, redness, or swelling
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Dark urine, or yellow skin or eyes
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Leg weakness or trouble walking
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Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher that doesn’t get better with fever medicine
