Chickenpox Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A Comprehensive Guide For Chickenpox Symptoms

Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that mostly affects children but can occur at any age. Caused by the varicella-zoster virus, it spreads through direct contact or airborne droplets. Early identification of chickenpox symptoms like red, itchy rashes, fever, and fatigue—can help manage the illness effectively.

Before the chickenpox vaccine in 1995, almost every child got an infection of the virus. However, after the vaccine was available, the infection rate dropped by nearly 90%. Nowadays, almost every child gets a chickenpox vaccine as a part of their immunisation routine. In this blog, we will explore what chickenpox is, its main causes, common symptoms, and available treatment options to ensure proper care and prevention.

What is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a typical infection which causes itching and blisters on the skin. A virus called Varicella Zoster is responsible for it. This infection is highly contagious. However, it is very rare today to get chickenpox because there is a vaccine available that protects us from the virus. However, while chickenpox symptoms in infants are common, adults can get infected as well and may experience more severe complications.

What are the 3 Stages of Chickenpox and Their Symptoms?

Here are the three stages of chickenpox looks like:

Stage 1: Early-stage chickenpox symptoms are red, bumpy spots which can appear anywhere in the body. These spots can last for a few days.
Stage 2: The spots become fluid-filled blisters. Blisters are very itchy, and they can burst after two or three days.
Stage 3: In this stage, the blisters turn into scabs. The scabs can be flaky, and some scabs can leak fluid. This stage stays for a few days.

Infection goes through these three stages, but one can experience all of them at the same time. Whole chickenpox symptoms in kids and adults can last up to 10 days or even more than that.

What are the Symptoms of Chickenpox?

Here are some common chickenpox symptoms:

Rash: The most common characteristic of chickenpox is a red and itchy rash. The rash appears on the face, back, and chest and spreads to the whole body. Rashes start from a small red spot, and then they turn into fluid-filled blisters within a few days.
Fever: Another symptom of chickenpox is the fever. Fever can range from 100.2°F to 102.0°F. It is one of the chickenpox initial symptoms. The fever is one of the symptoms of chickenpox before rash and blisters.
Tiredness or Fatigue: Fatigue is another common symptom of chickenpox. It happens especially at the starting period of the infection. The feeling of tiredness can stay during the illness.
Headache and Nausea: A lot of people infected by chickenpox may experience mild headaches and feelings of nausea during the time of the illness.
Low Appetite: it is common for individuals to lose their Appetite when they get chickenpox. It may result in eating less food during the illness.
Muscle Pain: Some individuals feel pain in their muscles during the illness.

Chickenpox Symptoms in Babies

Chickenpox also occurs in children when they are infected with the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), with symptoms typically appearing within 10 to 21 days of exposure. One of the early symptoms of chickenpox is mild fever, followed by a rash and blisters.

Symptoms of chickenpox can be non-severe and manageable, and they can resolve on their own. However, some individuals may experience serious complications. People such as pregnant women and people who have low immunity systems can experience serious complications.

What are the Chickenpox Causes?

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is a highly contagious member of the herpesvirus family. This virus spreads mainly through respiratory droplets when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with the fluid from chickenpox blisters.

People are generally contagious from about 1 to 2 days before the rash shows up until all the lesions have crusted over. Once someone has had chickenpox, the VZV can stay dormant in their body and may reactivate later in life, leading to shingles.

How does Chickenpox Spread?

People can get chickenpox at any age. After being infected by the virus, it takes one to two weeks to see the chickenpox symptoms in teenagers and adults. The infected person can spread chickenpox to other people 2 days before the rash appears.

Here is how the chickenpox is spread:

The person coming in contact or being in the same room with an infected person.
If a person touches something that has fluids from the blisters,
Breathing air from an infected individual if they sneeze or cough.

What are the Complications of Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a mild illness, but complications can occur in some cases. Let's dive deep into the complications of chickenpox:

Bacterial Infections: Itchy blisters of chickenpox can be easily scratched. It leads to skin infections like impetigo, cellulitis, or even necrotising fasciitis.
Pneumonia: Chickenpox can sometimes lead to pneumonia, an infection of the lungs.
Encephalitis: In rare cases, chickenpox can cause encephalitis, which is swelling or inflammation of the brain.
Cerebellar Ataxia: This is a condition that causes problems with coordination and balance.
Dehydration: Scratch the itchy blisters of chickenpox.
Reye's Syndrome: This is a rare but serious condition that can cause brain and liver damage, particularly in children and teenagers who take aspirin during chickenpox.

While in most cases, chickenpox symptoms are mild, certain individuals are at a higher risk of developing complications.

What are the Risk Factors of Chickenpox?

Children with a healthy immune system generally do not have serious complications. But serious complications from chickenpox can have to:

Infants if their mother did not have chickenpox previously or did not get the vaccine.
Pregnant women.
Individuals who are over 18.
Individuals with weakened immune systems.
People who have HIV/AIDS or cancer.
People who had gone through organ transplants.

Is Chickenpox Fatal?

Chickenpox is generally a mild disease, but it can be serious and even fatal, particularly in adults with weakened immune systems or other underlying health conditions. For instance, those undergoing cancer treatment or with HIV/AIDS remain at higher risk for severe complications. Vaccination is highly effective in preventing severe illness and reducing mortality associated with chickenpox.

What are the Chickenpox Treatment Methods?

Let's see the chickenpox treatments available for chickenpox for babies and adults:

Antiviral Medications

Your doctor may prescribe drugs like acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir for high-risk individuals such as pregnant women, newborns, or immunocompromised patients to reduce the severity and duration of chickenpox if started early.

Over-the-Counter Medicines

Medications like antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can help with itching, but consult with a doctor or pharmacist first.

Symptom Relief

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can be used to reduce fever and discomfort, but aspirin should be avoided in children due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.

Rest and Hydration

Getting adequate rest and staying well-hydrated support the body’s recovery and help manage fever and fatigue.

Prevent Scratching

Keeping fingernails short and clean and using soft clothing or mittens for children can help prevent skin damage and secondary infections caused by scratching. Also, do not burst the blisters because it can increase the risk of infection.

Itch Relief

Applying calamine lotion to itchy spots or taking colloidal oatmeal baths can soothe itching, while cool compresses or baths may also provide additional relief.

Isolation

Individuals with chickenpox should remain isolated until all blisters have crusted over, typically 5–7 days after the rash appears, to prevent spreading the virus.

Medical Attention

Prompt medical care is necessary if the chickenpox symptoms worsen or complications such as skin infections, pneumonia, or neurological issues are suspected.

What are the Preventive Measures for Chicken Pox?

Although chicken pox is highly contagious, here are some of the ways you can avoid catching it:

Vaccination and Vaccine Boosters

When it comes to preventing chickenpox, vaccination remains the most reliable and effective method. The varicella vaccine is given in two doses—first at 12–15 months and second at 4–6 years—while unvaccinated adults are also advised to get immunised. Additionally, doctors may recommend booster doses for high-risk groups such as healthcare workers, teachers, and childcare providers to help maintain long-term immunity.

Avoid Close Contact

Since chickenpox is highly contagious, it is important to avoid close contact with anyone who has an active infection or shingles, and infected individuals should stay isolated until all blisters have crusted over.

Good Hygiene Practices

Reducing the spread of the virus starts with good hygiene, including frequent handwashing with soap, avoiding face-touching, and disinfecting commonly used surfaces.

Cover Coughs and Sneezes

To minimise airborne transmission, individuals should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

In case of exposure to the virus, unvaccinated individuals—especially those at high risk—may benefit from a varicella vaccine or varicella-zoster immune globulin (VZIG) to reduce the chances of infection.

When to Consult with a Doctor?

It is better to consult a doctor if the child is experiencing severe complications. It should be diagnosed after getting first-day chickenpox symptoms such as rashes, spots and other symptoms.
Also, consult a doctor if you have the following conditions:

Consult a doctor if the fever lasts more than 4 days or goes above 102°F (38.9°C), as it could indicate complications.
Seek medical attention if the child has trouble breathing or a severe cough.
If the rash spreads to one or both eyes, prompt consultation is needed to avoid eye-related issues.
Watch for rashes that become increasingly red, tender, or start oozing pus, as these may be signs of a bacterial skin infection.
Let the doctor know if someone in the household is pregnant or if the infected person is in close contact with unvaccinated individuals.

It is important to seek timely medical advice and share all symptoms or risk factors to ensure proper care and prevent complications.

Final Word

Vaccination has significantly lowered the number of people affected by chickenpox. Vaccination has resulted in a decline in the spreading rate. However, parents must stay cautious and ensure that babies receive their chickenpox vaccine as part of the routine immunisation schedule. It will prevent potential future virus outbreaks. Although chickenpox symptoms are mild, if there are severe complications, it is always better to seek a doctor's help. However, through continuous vaccination processes, the infection rate can decrease significantly.