chickenpox (varicella)
by william samuels·
chickenpox is a highly contagious viral illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus. it causes an itchy rash of fluid-filled blisters. it's usually mild in children but can be more serious in babies, adults, and pregnant women. vaccination is available on the National Immunisation Program.
contagious
yes
incubation
10–21 days
contagious for
from 1–2 days before the rash until all blisters have crusted over (usually 5–7 days)
exclusion
exclude until all blisters have dried into crusts
symptoms
- •itchy rash that starts as red spots and develops into fluid-filled blisters
- •rash appears in waves over 3–5 days
- •spots start on the face, chest, and back, then spread
- •mild fever
- •tiredness and feeling unwell
- •loss of appetite
when to see a doctor
see your GP or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) if:
- •your child is under 1 month old
- •spots look infected (red, swollen, warm, or oozing pus)
- •your child has a fever that's getting worse after the first few days
- •your child is very drowsy or hard to wake
- •your child is not drinking fluids
- •you or someone in the household is pregnant or immunocompromised
in an emergency, call 000.
home treatment
- •give paracetamol for fever — do NOT give ibuprofen (may increase risk of skin infection)
- •calamine lotion or cool baths to soothe itching
- •keep fingernails short to reduce scratching
- •dress your child in loose, cool clothing
- •encourage fluids — ice blocks are great for sore mouths
- •antihistamines may help with itching (ask your pharmacist)
this guide is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. if you are concerned about your child, see your GP, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84), or in an emergency call 000.