The rash is composed of small water blisters, each appearing like a dewdrop surrounded by a rosey pink halo. Chickenpox can occur at any age but is seen most often in children younger than 10 years old. VZ virus spreads through the air from the skin rash or throat of the person who is ill. Exposed persons who have already had the disease rarely catch it again, although second attacks do occur. These are usually mild and most likely to develop in children who first had chickenpox before they were 1 year old.
Shingles usually develops in elderly people but occasionally occurs in children.
There may be 1 day of feeling ill before the rash breaks out. More commonly the first sign of chickenpox is the appearance of tiny red bumps that look like insect bites. Typically the rash itches intensely, causing irritability during the day and restlessness at night. The more severe the rash, the higher the fever can be expected to be. Poor appetite is common.