--- title: "What is Chicken Pox? Symptoms and Causes" description: "Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It causes an itchy rash with small, fluid-filled blisters. Chickenpox is highly conta" author: "Niyati Thole" published: 2022-08-29 canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300922/what-is-chicken-pox-symptoms-and-causes category: "health care" tags: ["health", "medical diagnosis", "diseases"] reading_time: 3 minutes --- # What is Chicken Pox? Symptoms and Causes Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It causes an itchy rash with small, fluid-filled blisters. Chickenpox is highly contagious to people who do not have the disease or who have not been vaccinated. Today, there is a vaccine that protects children from chicken pox. The US [Centers for Disease](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/101133/what-is-the-role-of-the-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-cdc) Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends regular [vaccination](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/48925/who-invented-the-vaccination). The chickenpox vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent chickenpox and its potential complications. ### Symptom After 10 days of 10-21 days from the virus, itching is congestion. Other signs and signs of one or two before the result: - The heat - Losing the appetite - [headache](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300067/covid-19-and-headaches) - Feeling fatigue and discomfort (all) - When chicken appears, it passes through three stages. - Pink pink or red bump (pellet) exceeds a few days - Dissolve medicine a day and drain with a small liquid (blisters) - Wrinkles and wrinkles covering broken blisters and requires more - New shocks appear for a few days, so you can have all three steps: shock, blisters, and screw damage. You can spread the virus to others up to 48 hours before the rash appears, and the virus remains contagious until all the broken blisters close. In healthy children, the disease is usually mild. In severe cases, the rash may cover the entire body, and lesions may appear on the mucous membranes of the throat, eyes, urethra, anus, and vagina. ### When should I go to the doctor? If you think you or your child has chickenpox, see your doctor. Chickenpox can usually be diagnosed by examining the rash and other symptoms. Doctors can prescribe medication to reduce the severity of chickenpox and, [if necessary](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/23229/in-python-check-if-a-directory-exists-and-create-it-if-necessary), treat complications. To avoid infecting others in the waiting room, make an appointment ahead of time and tell them that you or your child may have chickenpox. Also, tell your doctor if you have: - The rash spreads to one or both eyes. - The rash is very red, warm, or tender. - This may indicate a secondary bacterial skin infection. - The rash is accompanied by dizziness, disorientation, fast heart rate, difficulty breathing, tremors, muscle [coordination](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/72258/who-was-launching-a-new-scheme-indian-cyber-crime-coordination-centre-i4c-to-combat-cybercrime-in-the-country), worsening cough, vomiting, stiff neck, or a [temperature](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300335/what-is-normal-body-temperature) above 102F (38.9C). All [family members](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/312455/best-way-to-choosing-a-doctor-for-your-family-members) have a weak [immune system](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300472/ways-to-improve-your-immune-system) or are less than 6 months old. ### Causes Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It can spread through direct contact with the rash. It can also spread when a person with chickenpox coughs, sneezes or breathes in droplets. ### Risk factors If you have never had chickenpox or never had the chicken pox vaccine, you are at increased risk of contracting the varicella-zoster virus that causes chicken pox. Vaccination is especially important for those who work in daycare centers or schools. Most people who have had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine are immune to chickenpox. A small number of people can get chickenpox more than once, but this is rare. If you've been vaccinated and still have chickenpox, your symptoms will be mild, with few blisters and a low or no fever. ### Complications Chickenpox is usually a mild illness. However, it can be serious and lead to complications such as: - Bacterial infection of the skin, soft tissues, bones, joints or bloodstream (sepsis) - [dehydration](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300017/why-is-hydration-so-important) - Pneumonia - [Inflammation](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300776/5-signs-of-cardinal-inflammation) of the brain (encephalitis) - toxic shock syndrome - Reye's syndrome in children and adolescents taking aspirin with chickenpox - dead --- Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300922/what-is-chicken-pox-symptoms-and-causes Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.