Approximately 200 deaths per year in the United States and 6000-9000 hospital admissions. Transmission is primarily from direct contact with patients who have varicella infection and occasionally by air-borne spread of droplets.
Immunity is lifelong with rare second cases reported.
After a 1-2 day of mild prodromal symptoms, the child will break out with rash usually on the trunk. The rash will start as macular red lesions and proceed to papules, vesicles, pustules, and then crusted lesion. They come out in crops and there are lesions present of different stages. May have involvement of the mucous membranes and this may help distinguish chickenpox from insect bites The rash is very pruritic but systemic symptoms are mild. Teenagers and adults may become very ill with high fevers and the development of pneumonia.