When is chicken pox season

Unvaccinated adults who've never had chickenpox and are at high risk of exposure. This includes health care workers, teachers, child care employees, international travelers, military personnel, adults who live with young children and all women of childbearing age.

Adults who've never had chickenpox or been vaccinated usually receive two doses of the vaccine, four to eight weeks apart.

If you don't remember whether you've had chickenpox or the vaccine, a blood test can determine your immunity. Talk to your doctor if you're unsure about your need for the vaccine.

If you're planning on becoming pregnant, consult with your doctor to make sure you're up to date on your vaccinations before conceiving a child. Parents typically wonder whether vaccines are safe. Since the chickenpox vaccine became available, studies have consistently found it to be safe and effective. Side effects are generally mild and include redness, soreness, swelling and, rarely, small bumps at the site of the shot. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Chickenpox Open pop-up dialog box Close. Chickenpox Chickenpox consists of an itchy, red rash that breaks out on the face, scalp, chest, back and, to a lesser extent, arms and legs. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Chickenpox varicella. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Accessed Jan. Varicella chickenpox. New York, N. Papadakis MA, et al. Viral and rickettsial infections. McGraw Hill; Chickenpox vaccination: What everyone should know. Longo DL, et al. Varicella-zoster virus infections. High-risk individuals, including people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women who are not already immune to the varicella virus, may be given antiviral drugs such as acyclovir or varicella-zoster immunoglobulin ZIG , which is a human blood product, to reduce the severity of chickenpox and risk of complications.

However, to be beneficial, antiviral drugs and ZIG must be given very soon after exposure to the varicella virus. People with chickenpox should remain at home until they are no longer infectious. Supportive treatment includes:. Medical Library Topics. Home Medical library Chickenpox Southern Cross Medical Library The purpose of the Southern Cross Medical Library is to provide information of a general nature to help you better understand certain medical conditions.

Symptoms include fatigue, mild fever and loss of appetite, followed by a red rash and itchy blisters. Treatment will focus on reducing fever and itching.

Chickenpox vaccination is fully funded for New Zealand children and is reducing the proportion of New Zealanders who contract the disease. Chickenpox varicella is usually a mild, self-limiting disease in healthy children. However, it can be severe if contracted by babies, or children and adults with immune systems that aren't functioning properly.

Chickenpox is caused by infection with the varicella zoster virus, a member of the herpes family of viruses. The virus is spread in droplets of saliva through the air or by direct contact with the fluid from the blisters of the infected person.

Coughing and sneezing is the usual way the disease is transmitted. The disease most commonly affects the five to nine-year-old age group but with increased use of early childhood centres, a greater proportion of infections may now be occurring in pre-school-aged children.

One bout of chickenpox gives lifelong immunity from contracting the disease again. However, the virus remains in the body for life and can be reactivated years later as shingles herpes zoster. Shingles can occur at any age but is most common in adults over 60 years of age. Initial symptoms of chickenpox include fatigue, a mild fever, lack of appetite, and a feeling of being generally unwell. Twelve to 48 hours later the rash develops into small red spots.

Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Chickenpox? What Causes Chickenpox? Is Chickenpox Contagious? Someone with chickenpox can spread the virus: through droplets in the air by coughing or sneezing in their mucus, saliva spit , or fluid from the blisters Chickenpox is contagious from about 2 days before the rash starts until all the blisters are crusted over.

What Problems Can Happen? Some people are more at risk for complications from chickenpox, including: pregnant women newborns born to mothers who had chickenpox patients with leukemia kids receiving medicines that suppress the immune system anyone with immune system problems If they are exposed to chickenpox, they might be given a medicine zoster immune globulin to make the illness less severe.

Can Chickenpox Be Prevented? Doctors recommend that kids get the chickenpox vaccine as: a first shot when they're 12—15 months old a booster shot when they're 4—6 years old People 6 years of age and older who have never had chickenpox and aren't vaccinated can and should get two doses of the vaccine. How Is Chickenpox Diagnosed? Doctors usually can diagnose chickenpox by looking at the telltale rash. How Is Chickenpox Treated?

The depends on the: child's age and health extent of the infection timing of the treatment Your doctor can tell you if the medicine is right for your child. To help relieve the itchiness and discomfort of chickenpox: Use cool wet compresses or give baths in lukewarm water every 3—4 hours for the first few days. Oatmeal bath products, available at supermarkets and drugstores, can help to relieve itching.

Baths do not spread the rash. Pat don't rub the body dry. Put calamine lotion on itchy areas but don't use it on the face, especially near the eyes. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about pain-relieving creams to apply to sores in the genital area. Ask the doctor about using over-the-counter medicine to take by mouth for itching. To prevent scratching: Put mittens or gloves on your child's hands to avoid scratching during sleep.

Trim fingernails and keep them clean. If your child has blisters in the mouth: Give cold, soft, bland foods because chickenpox in the mouth can make it hard to drink or eat.