First Lady Michelle Obama shares tips on parenting with moms and other audience members in a WebMD Town Hall meeting in Miami, Florida.
Information and Resources
Understanding Chickenpox -- Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of Chickenpox?
Chickenpox appears as a very itchy rash that spreads from the torso to the neck, face, and limbs. Lasting seven to 10 days, the rash progresses from red bumps to fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) that drain and scab over. Vesicles may also appear in the mouth, on the scalp, around the eyes, or on the genitals and can be very painful.
This cycle repeats itself in new areas of the body until finally, after about two weeks, all of the sores have healed. The disease is contagious until all the pox have dried up and there are no new pox for one day. Unfortunately, the virus is also contagious for at least one day before the rash breaks out.
Understanding Chickenpox -- the Basics
Chickenpox (varicella), a viral illness characterized by a very itchy red rash, is one of the most common infectious diseases of childhood. It is usually mild in children, but adults run the risk of serious complications, such as bacterial pneumonia. People who have had chickenpox almost always develop lifetime immunity (meaning you can't get it again). However, the virus remains dormant in the body, and it can reactivate later in life and cause shingles. Because the chickenpox virus can pass from...
Read the Understanding Chickenpox -- the Basics article > >
In children who have been vaccinated with the varicella vaccine, a shortened version of chickenpox lasting three to five days may occur with less than 30 total pox breaking out. This rash can still be contagious.
Call Your Doctor About Chickenpox If:
- You think your child has chickenpox; a doctor can confirm the diagnosis.
- Chickenpox is accompanied by severe skin pain and the rash produces a greenish discharge -- signs of a secondary bacterial skin infection.
- Chickenpox is accompanied by a stiff neck, persistent sleepiness, or lethargy -- symptoms of a more serious illness such as meningitis or encephalitis. Get medical help immediately.
- Your child is recovering from chickenpox and begins running a fever, vomiting, having convulsions, or is drowsy. These are signs of Reye's syndrome, a dangerous, potentially fatal disease that sometimes follows viral infections, particularly if aspirin has been used in treatment. Get medical help immediately.
- An adult family member gets chickenpox. In adults, the illness can lead to complications such as pneumonia. See your doctor without delay.
- You are pregnant, have never had chickenpox, and are exposed to the disease; your unborn child may be at risk for birth defects. See your doctor without delay.
WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by
Charlene H. Beard, MD on March 13, 2012
© 2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
Top 12 Health Topics-
1.
-
2.
-
3.
-
4.
-
5.
-
6.
-
7.
-
8.
-
9.
-
10.
-
11.
-
12.
Top 12 Videos-
1.
-
2.
-
3.
-
4.
-
5.
-
6.
-
7.
-
8.
-
9.
-
10.
-
11.
-
12.
Hot Topics
- Which Drugstore Tooth Whiteners Work Best?
- Kids' Top 6 Worries and How to Fix Them
- Surprising Headache Triggers
- Safe Ways to Lose Weight Fast
- Counting Carbs When You Use Insulin
- Fibromyalgia: Symptoms and Treatments
- CML: How It Affects Your Body
- 6 Sex Mistakes Men Make
- Dupuytren's Contracture: What You Need to Know
- Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
WebMD Video: Now Playing
FROM CBS NEWS
Third of malaria meds from Asia, Africa are fake
Almost half of malaria medications in southeast Asia and over a third from sub-Saharan Africa were packaged poorly, including some expired drugs that had been repackaged
More from CBS News:
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Advertise With Us|WebMD Corporate|Medscape Reference|eMedicineHealth|RxList|Medscape|MedicineNet|BootsWebMD
©2005-2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.