About Chickenpox

Related Content: Varivax | Watch and Learn | Ordering Information

What is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus¹. It is common in children under the age of 10, but you can catch it at any age¹. Symptoms first appear between 10 and 21 days of being infected with chickenpox¹. These can include; high temperature, feeling unwell, aches and pains, rash and loss of appetite¹. The first sign of chickenpox is usually red spots, these can be anywhere on the body¹. These spots fill with fluid and become blisters, which may burst¹. The blisters will then scab over¹. Chickenpox is contagious from one to two days before the rash appears until all the blisters have scabbed over². This takes about 5 days².

Even after you get better, the chickenpox virus remains in your body³. If you have had chickenpox, you have a greater risk of developing shingles in later life³. This can happen when the immune system is low (e.g. due to stress or certain medical conditions) and the chickenpox virus becomes reactivated³.

Chickenpox Prevention

The chickenpox vaccine can help prevent chickenpox⁴. Varicella vaccination is not included as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule². Vaccination may be considered for any non immune persons aged ≥12 months². Those who choose to have themselves or their child immunised should consult with their GP². Two doses of vaccine are needed, at least 4 weeks apart⁵. The vaccine is not recommended for those who have weak immune systems⁵.

Chickenpox Treatment

For most children, chickenpox is mild and can be treated at home⁶. Most children with chickenpox recover after a week of symptoms appearing, without needing to see a GP⁶. However, sometimes there can be complications, such as skin infections, lung infections and inflammation of the brain, so, it is important to know what to look out for⁶.

Patient information on chickenpox can be found at www.chickenpoxaware.ie

References:

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/child-health/chickenpox-in-babies-and-children/overview-of-chickenpox-in-babies-and-children.html (Accessed October 2021)
chapter23.pdf (hse.ie) (Accessed October 2021)
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/child-health/chickenpox-in-babies-and-children/shingles-and-children.html (Accessed October 2021)
VARIVAX | SPC | MSD Ireland (Human Health) Limited | Medicines.ie (Accessed October 2021)
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/child-health/chickenpox-in-babies-and-children/chickenpox-vaccine.html (Accessed October 2021)
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/child-health/chickenpox-in-babies-and-children/treating-chickenpox-in-children.html (Accessed October 2021)

About Chickenpox

Chickenpox Prevention

Chickenpox Treatment

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