Most people can be vaccinated to prevent chickenpox (varicella). The vaccine is successful as long as it is given before you have been exposed to the virus. It also may prevent or result in a milder case of chickenpox if given within 3 days of exposure.

Antiviral medications also may be an option after you start to develop symptoms of chickenpox. These medications do not prevent or cure chickenpox, but they can help shorten its course and make it milder.

Immunoglobulins can be given to help protect you from getting chickenpox after you have been exposed to it. However, these medications can give only short-term protection (up to 3 months).

After you have developed symptoms of chickenpox, you can use nonprescription medications to help relieve discomfort.

Medication Choices

Vaccination to prevent chickenpox

Chickenpox can be prevented by getting the varicella-zoster vaccine(What is a PDF document?) before exposure to the virus. A shot of the vaccine can be given in one of two ways:

• As 2 doses given at 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years
• In a combination shot that also contains the vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella. This combination shot is known as MMRV (ProQuad) and can be substituted for one or both of the regular measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shots.⁶ (Immunization with MMR combination vaccine is recommended for children between 12 to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years of age.) If a child receives ProQuad, a separate vaccination for varicella is not needed.

If you are exposed to chickenpox and you get the vaccine within 3 days, the vaccine may still be effective in preventing the illness or result in a milder case.

Medications to help decrease the severity of chickenpox

• Antiviral medications, such as Zovirax, Foscavir, Famvir, Valtrex, and Denavir. Antiviral medication is usually used to treat adults and people with impaired immune systems; healthy children usually don't need antiviral medication when they have chickenpox. It is not known whether antiviral medications reduce a person's chances of developing complications of chickenpox.
• Immunoglobulins (IG). This treatment is given through a vein, usually at the hospital. Immunoglobulins are a group of proteins in human blood and tissue fluids. These proteins help the body's immune system recognize and destroy harmful bacteria and viruses in the body, such as the varicella virus. You may get IG after being exposed to an infected person. IG can also be given to people with certain immune system deficiencies to prevent infections. Immune globulin is usually taken from the blood of people recovering from an illness; for example, the immune globulin given to help prevent chickenpox infection is taken from the blood of people who are recovering from chickenpox. The protection provided by an immune globulin injection lasts about 3 months. Immunoglobulin for chickenpox must be given before a rash appears.

Medications to relieve pain and discomfort from chickenpox

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra) or ibuprofen (Advil) to control pain and fever. People over age 20 also can take aspirin to reduce fever. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
• Antihistamines to relieve itching, such as Benadryl or Vistaril.

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