If you are that unlucky person, how do you keep your chickenpox from driving you crazy? They itch, but you shouldn't scratch them. Scratching the blisters can tear your skin and leave scars. Scratching also can let germs in, and the blisters could get infected. If your fever goes higher and an area of your skin gets really red, warm, and painful, tell an adult right away.
You'll need to see a doctor because you could have an infection. While you have the chickenpox, a pain reliever like acetaminophen might help you feel better, but let your parents help you with this. Medicines and creams that may stop the itch can also be helpful. Do not take aspirin because it can cause a rare but serious illness in kids called Reye syndrome. It doesn't usually happen, but let your parents know if you feel especially bad.
Sometimes, chickenpox leads to other, more serious illnesses. Most kids don't have any major problems and get better in a week or two. And when all the blisters have scabs, you're not contagious anymore and you can go back to school! In a few days, the scabs will fall off. A kid who gets chickenpox is unlikely to ever get it again. Not long ago, millions of people got chickenpox each year in the United States.
But now that kids get the vaccine, fewer and fewer people get chickenpox. But kids can get vaccinated when they're older too. Ask your mom or dad if you've had your shots. You'll be glad that you did if chickenpox starts making its way around your school! The best way to protect infants and children against chickenpox is to get them vaccinated.
The varicella-zoster virus also causes shingles. After chickenpox, the virus remains in the body dormant. People get shingles when VZV reactivates in their bodies after they have already had chickenpox. People with shingles can spread VZV to people who have never had chickenpox or never received the chickenpox vaccine. This can happen through direct contact with fluid from shingles rash blisters or through breathing in virus particles that come from the blisters.
If they get infected, they will develop chickenpox, not shingles. It takes about 2 weeks from 10 to 21 days after exposure to a person with chickenpox or shingles for someone to develop chickenpox. If a vaccinated person gets the disease, they can still spread it to others. For most people, getting chickenpox once provides immunity for life. It is possible to get chickenpox more than once, but this is not common. If you have been exposed to the chickenpox virus, your treatment will depend on your age, personal health, and severity of the illness.
Most healthy children will only need to stay at home and rest. Pregnant women, newborn infants, and people with weakened immune systems who have not been vaccinated or have not had chickenpox or shingles in the past should see a health care provider immediately if they are exposed to, or get, chickenpox. Prevention methods must be started as soon as possible to reduce the illness, and the risk for complications.
Prevention methods may include antiviral medication, an injection of varicella zoster immune globulin or the varicella vaccine.
In most cases, chickenpox is a mild illness. If you have chickenpox, you should rest but you do not need to stay in bed. The most helpful things you can do are those that make you or your child feel more comfortable.
Some steps you can take are to:. The same virus that causes chickenpox causes shingles. For some people who have had chickenpox, the virus can become active again later in life and cause a painful rash with blisters called shingles. Symptoms of shingles include headache, fever, nausea and chills. People may feel itching, tingling, or extreme pain in the area where a rash develops several days later.
It takes 2 to 4 weeks for the blisters to heal, although some scars may remain. A person with shingles who feels well does not need to stay away from work or other activities, as long as the rash can be completely covered. Shingles can not be passed from person to person.
However, a person who has not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine can get chickenpox from someone with shingles. This is uncommon and requires direct contact with the fluid from the shingles blisters. Skip to main content. Last Updated:. November
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