What New Parents Need to Know About Chickenpox
Learn how to treat and prevent this itchy condition
Kids always seem to get rashes, but chickenpox rashes are not as common as they used to be. However, this still happens occasionally, especially when your child is exposed to chickenpox and hasn’t been vaccinated.
Thanks to the widespread availability of the chickenpox vaccine, the chances of children getting chickenpox are no longer as high as they once were. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of people contracting chickenpox has decreased by over 97% since the vaccine program was introduced in the U.S.
We spoke to experts to find out what parents should know about chickenpox — how to recognize the symptoms early and the importance of vaccinating your child.
What Is Chickenpox?
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Dr. Robert Klug, an emergency physician at MedStar Health in Maryland, explains, “It’s usually a mild self-limiting illness but can lead to serious complications.” This virus is highly contagious — about 90% of people who are not immune to chickenpox will contract it after exposure.
Chickenpox spreads through respiratory droplets, such as when someone coughs, and by direct contact with the fluid inside the blisters. You are contagious about 1 to 2 days before the rash appears and until the lesions crust over.
Dr. Ruth Kanthula, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at MedStar Health in Washington, D.C., explains that the incubation period for chickenpox is 10 to 21 days. This means that if you were exposed to chickenpox or shingles, symptoms may not appear for up to 21 days.
It’s rare to get chickenpox twice. After infection, your body produces antibodies to chickenpox, which remain in your system for life.
What Are the Symptoms of Chickenpox?
According to Dr. Klug and Dr. Kanthula, chickenpox symptoms typically appear within 15 days of exposure to the virus and usually include:
- A fever 1 to 2 days before the rash appears, typically around 100 to 102°F, which lasts for about 4 days
- Itchy rash that starts as flat red spots and gradually develops into small, fluid-filled bumps
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Respiratory symptoms like cough, runny nose, and sore throat
Antiviral Medications
Dr. Klug explains that healthy children under 12 typically do not need prescription medications. However, some children with weakened immune systems, those taking steroids, or those with certain skin or lung conditions may need antiviral medications, such as acyclovir or valacyclovir.
If you notice any of the following, contact your child’s healthcare provider:
- Severe stomach pain or persistent cough
- Stiff neck
- Difficulty walking
- Fever lasting longer than 4 days or temperatures above 102°F
- Rash becomes very red, painful, swollen, or begins oozing — this could indicate a bacterial infection
How to Prevent Chickenpox?
Dr. Klug says the chickenpox vaccine is safe and effective. Approved in 1995, the vaccine is 88% to 98% effective after two doses.
“The first dose should be given at 12 to 15 months, and the second dose should be given at 4 to 6 years. Anyone who has received only one dose of the vaccine should get the second dose,” Dr. Klug says.
The best way to prevent chickenpox is to vaccinate your child. “Vaccines are one of the most effective public health interventions, as they protect children from getting sick and living healthier lives compared to their grandparents and great-grandparents,” says Dr. Kanthula.