Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness that should become much less a part of childhood as more children are given the Varivax or chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus and occurs most commonly in late winter or early spring. Chickenpox is spread by both direct contact with an infected person and through air borne spread of respiratory secretions. Since infected persons are contagious for 1-2 days before they even develop a rash, your child may have been exposed to someone with chickenpox without knowing. You can also get chickenpox after having direct contact with someone who has shingles or herpes zoster, a reactivation of chickenpox.
Symptoms begin with a low grade fever, loss of appetite and decreased activity.
The bumps then become blisters with clear and then cloudy fluid, and then become open sores and finally crust over within about twenty four hours, but your child will continue to get new bumps for about four more days. All of the chickenpox lesions should be crusted over after about six days at which time your child will no longer be contagious. It may take another one to two weeks before all of the scabs finally heal. Once your child has had chickenpox he should have lifelong immunity. The usual treatments are aimed at making your child more comfortable, and can include pain relievers, plenty of fluids, oatmeal baths, calamine lotion, and oral Benadryl for severe itchiness.