Chickenpox is a common childhood rash illness that can be serious. Chickenpox is a very contagious illness caused by the varicella virus.
People are most likely to catch chickenpox in late winter or early spring.
Chickenpox is spread from person to person through direct contact, coughing, sneezing, or touching the rash, as well as through airborne droplets. Chickenpox causes an itchy rash with blisters, which usually begins on the face or trunk and then scabs over in 5 days. One with chickenpox may also experience tiredness, fever, and it can lead to complications such as pneumonia. Symptoms are usually worse in infants, adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. Children can be protected by receiving the varicella vaccine when they are 12-18 months old.