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Print ArticleChickenpox (Varicella)
Symptoms
The incubation period-the time from exposure to the chickenpox virus until you develop symptoms-is usually 14 to 16 days but can be from 10 to 21 days. The first symptoms of chickenpox infection include:
- A fever of 100.4F to 103F.
- Feeling sick, tired, and sluggish.
- Little or no appetite.
- Headache and sore throat.
The first symptoms are usually mild in children, but they can be severe in teens and adults. These symptoms may continue throughout the illness.
About 1 or 2 days after the first symptoms of chickenpox
appear, an itchy
rash
develops. During a typical course of
chickenpox:
- Red or swollen spots or bumps appear and turn into pimplelike blisters filled with clear or cloudy fluid.
- The blisters break open, often leaking fluid.
- A dry crust forms over the broken blisters as they heal.
Chickenpox is most contagious from 2 to 3 days before the rash develops until all the blisters have crusted over.
Other conditions may cause a similar rash.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
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