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Chicken pox

Chicken pox | Chicken pox | Symptoms of chicken pox | Chicken pox treatment
Average rating: 4 out of 5 star rating

goodtoknow says: Chicken pox is a very common viral infection. Most children get chicken pox and make a complete recovery within seven to 10 days, although the chicken pox spots may take longer to fade. Your child may have been feeling under the weather for a couple of weeks before the first chicken pox spots appear, usually on their stomach. This is called the incubation period. Chicken pox spreads quickly and can affect anywhere on the body, even the mouth and eyes. Your child will develop fluid-filled blisters that are extremely itchy and look awful. But don't worry, just cover the spots with calamine lotion to calm the itching.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of chicken pox from patient.co.uk, read on.

Chicken pox causes a rash and can make you feel generally unwell. Symptoms tend to be worse in adults than children. Treatment aims to ease symptoms until the illness goes. Full recovery is usual. Serious complications are rare, but are more common in adults than children and are more likely to occur in people with a poor immune system such as those on chemotherapy.

What is chicken pox?

Chicken pox is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The immune system makes antibodies during the infection. These fight the virus and then provide lifelong immunity. Therefore, it is rare to have more than one bout of chickenpox.

Most people have chicken pox as a child. About 9 in 10 people have had it by the age of 15. It is uncommon for adults to have chickenpox.

- Symptoms of chicken pox
- Treatment for chicken pox
- Complications of chicken pox
- Is chicken pox infectious?

More help and advice

- Fast facts about chicken pox
- Why it's good to have chicken pox young
- Tips on relieving the symptoms of chicken pox
- Make sure your child doesn't dread injections

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Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below

lorraine, 2 months

i had ciken poxs once yell funny lol

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aleja 16, 4 months

im 16 summer holidays supposed to be at the moment! but got i got chicken pox and i can honestly say they are the most horrible thing in the world. i wish i had them when i was younger. they are hideous. i lose self confidence. i barely wanna look my face on the mirror. they are undeniably super itchy painful and disgusting. worst time of my life. every night im praying that this is the worse day i hope but next morning i wake up it doesnt get better :( plus im afraid the scars are going to be well huge as i put make up on them. ughh. i thought i have escaped with this ridiculously hateful virus!!

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Rebecca, 6 months

Just to comment - I have been researching chicken pox all day online and there is no evidence to say that having chicken pox while you are pregnant at any stage, will affect the development of your unborn child. As always, with anything while you are pregnant it is extremely important to seek prompt medical attention, but do not worry unneccessarily. It is possible if you have them very late in pregnancy that your baby may be born with them and need monitoring, but should still be fine. My five year old came out with them today, she doesn't and hasn't seemed ill in the slightest over the last week or two, but, my one year old has had a horrible cold for the last week so I'm just waiting for her spots to appear now.

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gurminder, 8 months

gurminder sembhi i was woundering my little boy aged 3 whos got chicking pox. he has been in contact with his aunti who is having twins her due date is end of april but she will be getting having them on friday. i wanted to know if she will be affected or the babies or will they have them soon after they r born? she herself has had them when she was young. thanks

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charlotte, 10 months

hi my son is 3 and a half and is in the first stages of chicken pox i just wonderd if i can catch it again or even shingles even though i had chicken poxs when i was younger. thankyou your information about chicken pox was very helpful to me.

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alysia pritchett, 10 months

this iz sooo sad to look at and i would never want to see a baby go through that EVERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

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nicola, 11 months

i was wondering should i let my 14 month old daughter catch chicken pox as my cousin age 6 has got them now, is it better to let them catch it younger so they cant scratch or just wait till she catches them at school. help not sure what i should do !

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TABBY, 11 months

ive got chicken pox's there well painful

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Kim Stephens, about 1 year

My 4 yr old son has just come down with chicken but had no signs til the spots appeared. My sister is five months pregnant so I was worried if this would effect her but the doctor said it's only in beginning and end months that it may be harmful.

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sarah, about 1 year

i was wandering i am 8 weeks pregnant and might have to have a injection because i have been in contact with someone who has got chicken pox will injection harm my baby? thanks

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Jayne aged 14, about 1 year

i have chicken pox at the moment.Great time to catch.Just started gcses.not even been back to school for a full week and i catch it :(i hate it. its the second time ive had it nd my mate has it too nd its her fourth time with it

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Sarah Adams, about 1 year

Im 18 years old, female, completely normal. I had those stupid vaccines and, I got the chickenpox on the day i graduated isnt that nice? neways It's the worst feeling in the world.. i really wished some kid gave it to me when i was little.. but than again i thought i didnt have to worry bout it because i had the vaccine right. Guess not. I also have them everywhere, Scalp,Neck, Throat, Under my tongue, Face, In my ears, Upper chest, tummy, legs, private area. Under my feet and, under the palm of my hand. The worst itching ever this is like torture.

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Genna, about 1 year

my 19 month old daughter has just come down with chicken pox im 20 and was just wondering does chicken pox turn to shingles in adults as ive never had them before and im worried about catching them

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kelly mudie, about 1 year

my 4 year old son has came out in a rash on his chest and is spreading down his belly, they are not blisters they look like a normal spot but little, im really worried cause when he gets ill and gets a high temp he fits and stops brething, i dont no wot to do, i have took him to the chemist and they said its looks like chicken poxs but they are not sure i dont no wot to do i need some help.

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nikki faulkner, about 1 year

I`m eight wks pregrent and my daughters have chicken pox and i at risk? I had chicken pox when i was younger can i catch them again?.

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barbara, about 1 year

My seven year old son has just developed the chicken pox rash three days ago. His grandmother is 74 and has never had chicken pox. Is it dangerous for her to be in contact with him? I myself am in my 40's and have never had chicken pox. I work in a busy office. Could I 'carry' the virus into my workplace and pass it on to other staff and/or their children through them?

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jessica stanton, about 1 year

im 18 years old and about 3 days ago i came out in a breakout of painful red itchy bumps and spots on my stomach, in my throat, legs, arms, back, scalp and all on my face. they are starting to scab over slowly its just i really dont want this for much longer. i cant spend time with my boyfriend of two years because we dont want him catching it, i feel really ill with it such as fever, very sore throat, cant sleep cant face anyone coz i just look so embarassing. i would never wish this on any older person becuase they get it worse than in children xx

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Jeanette, about 1 year

My daughter has also woken up this morning with spots! A friend of mine told me that sucking ice lollies helps, especially if they have them in the mouth.

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NICOLA GREENMAN, about 1 year

MY DAUGHTER HAS CHICKEN POX AND ITS EVERYWHERE MOUTH,ARMS,FEET,LEGS YOU NAME IT. IM QUITE WORRIED BECAUSE SHE HAS ECZEMA ONTOP OF THE CHICKENPOX WHICH MAKES IT WORSE, MY FRIEND SAYS TO USE THE E45 CREAM ON HER SKIN WHICH IV'E BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS WHICH HARDLY WORKS! MY MOTHER SAID I HAD IT WHEN I WAS 10 BUT IT WENT IN A ABOUT A MONTH.I REALLY NEED HELP FAST BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW,PLUS IT LOOKS LIKE ITS GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY!?

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vickie, about 1 year

my 6 yr old had chicken pox 2 weeks ago and now my 2 yr old has it. he was ok in general, but i changed his bottom half an hour ago and his poo was like dead bloody colour. is this ok or do i need to be concerned?????

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Sarah Berry, about 1 year

My 5 year old has just come out in chicken pox spots this morning and I'm 8 weeks prehnant am i ok????????????

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louise bernhardt, about 1 year

my five year son has chicken pox but somehow the blister have became infected and i was wondering what may have cause this and how to treat him

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JANE GERRARD, about 1 year

MY SON DEVELOPED CHICKEN POX JUST BEFORE HIS THIRD BIRTHDAY. HE IS NOW FREE ALTHOUGH THE SPOTS ARE STILL FADING. MY SIX YEAR OLD HAS JUST COME DOWN WITH IT. WE WERE WAITING FOR OUR 19 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER TO FOLLOW, BUT NO, IT WAS ME AT THE AGE OF 40!!!! I CALLED THE DOCTOR WHO PRESCRIBED SOME MEDICATION. THIS SPEEDS UP THE PROCESS BUT CAN ONLY BE GIVEN TO ADOLECENTS AND ADULTS. I HAVE NEVER FELT TO ILL IN MY LIFE.

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Mandy Smith, about 1 year

Can chicken pox be caught twice ie: five years after being infected?

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bethanii, about 1 year

i have a 2 year old son, that has chicken pox. Thankfully it doesnt seem to be bothering him. My sister in law has just had a baby, and she has asked her midwife if it is ok to go see her. Her midwife has said that it is fine just keep my son away until the spots have crusted over. Thankfully adults cant catch shingles from Chickenpox. I have found it so much easier applying the calomile lotion with my hands. I have been advised that doing it this way is fine, as chicken pox can only be caught with the mucus or saliva!!!

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tanya, about 1 year

please could uyou advice please , my freiends daughter as chicken spots and there is a 11 weeks pregnant woman livin with her, she is now worrying aboutthe effect on the unborn baby

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Emma, about 1 year

My daughter is just 4months old and has got chickenpox, I dont know anyone who has it at the moment and cannot for the life of me think where she has been as she is to young for nursery and any classes or anything. She came out in the spots on saturday and we had to go to hospital as they thought it was something else (menengitis). She is absolutely fine and not bothered in the slightest, my doctor also said it was the youngest case he had ever seen.

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samantha mckeiver, about 1 year

my daughther has chicken poxs now, she is 2 and half years old, she has them in her eye lids, they is'nt that many really, im 21 years old and a bit worried as i ant had them,

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Shirley McKenna, about 1 year

My 10-year-old son has chicken pox. He has had the spots since this morning. At what stage are you infectious with chicken pox and for how long?

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kathy, about 1 year

I had chickenpox when I was 20 years old, my daughter has got chickenpox now am I liable to get it, I have had it twice now. I had the first lot when I was 13.

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Too Melville, about 1 year

Sorry Dan. My neighbour had chickenpox at 9 months pregnant, went into labour and gave birth to a lovely girl who was soon covered in spots too.

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nikki thompson, about 1 year

my daughter had chicken pox when she was abou 14 months old. at that point i was 8 weeks pregnant. i was told by my midwife that this was the most dangerous time for her to get them as it could seriously damage my baby. thankfully my son was born with no ill effects but it was really frightening not knowing whether he would be affected by it.

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Claire Turner, over 2 years

My 4 year old son has just recovered from chicken pox and now my 13month old has it. My 4 year old was fine with it, bit of a fever and sleepy. I tried calomine lotion but personally i found this pritty much done nothing so i tried this medicine called Piriton which was fantastic. I gave it to him once and he never itched again!!! Even better is that you can have it from the age of one years so my 14month old wont have to suffer too much as he has it quit bad! You can buy it from any chemist and costs around £4. I would highly recommend this too anyone who reads this.

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Dan, over 2 years

I had chickenpox at the age of 2 months old, the doctor told me it was the earliest case of chickenpox he had ever seen. I'd like to know what the earliest age you can have chickenpox is, if anyone knows.

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ruth danemann, over 2 years

My daughter had chickenpox when she was 12months old. She had them in her mouth, everywhere, she looked like the Elephant man. I made a point of mixing her with other children that had chickenpox when she was very young to get it over with. Two years ago (aged 8) she came out in blistery spots again so i took her to the doctors who confirmed that she had got it again. Suprisiing last week we were at the doctors again only to find out she had contracted it again. The last two times have only been mild but i was under the impression you could only contract it once. The docs were baffled and were looking on the internet for information. Has any body else heard of this ???????

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Miss Brown, over 2 years

Should i stay off school if i have chicken poxs From Miss Brown Aged 13

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sarah waugh, over 2 years

i have never had them and hopefully i dont xxx

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jemahodgson, over 2 years

my daughter has just come down with chicken pox she is 20 months and woke up this morning with LOADS of spots. she is doing really well with it actually. She has been moany for the last two weeks and i thought she was getting into the terrible two's early but now i know it was this but she has had no temperatue or anything and she is eating really well. i have put bicarbonate soda in her bath as i was told this is good as she went to bed really well so i hope the next 7 days are as good as this for her.

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alana charlton, over 2 years

not every child gets chicken pox. i am 17 years of age and i havent had it yet. i am just dreading the day when i eventually do get it. becuase i have heard i can be so embarrasing.

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shaukath, over 2 years

Need one clarification.If I borrow some material from a friend who had suffered due to chicken pox 2 months ago,Is ther any chance that still that virus is alive and can pass to my childrem.

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Lindsey Mc Donagh, over 2 years

I'm 17 years old and2 days ago started developing chicken pox! they are very itchy and are leavin sore bumps in my scalp is there anything i can do to stop the itching except from using calomine lotion? they are also causin me not to sleep very well and i keep going hot and cold is this normal? please help! thanks

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Mhairi Taffs, over 2 years

I had chicken pox 10 years ago when 17 weeks pregnant with my daughter. It was so bad that I was admitted to an infectious diseases unit of a hospital for 6 days and put on oxygen. On day 2 the doctor decided it was so bad that he gave me an injection to halt the spread of the infection. I looked like I had been covered in green bubble wrap! However, the good news is my baby was perfect and suffered no problems. They did think she may have lifelong immunity but caught it two weeks ago and has just recovered, not before she passed it on to my younger daughter though. Good luck with your pregnancy and don't worry.

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Paul Richards, over 2 years

I have just got the chicken pox but it is interesting to know that I may have had it for a week or so. I started to feel ill in the stomach and had a headache about a week ago, then last night i started getting spots showing up on my body. Immediately i thought Chicken pox because it is something I have never had before. I am 16 and find that the itching is particularly bad around the scalp, but a gentle wash in luke warm water sooths it. What ever you do you should not scratch as this irritates the spots and causes them to spread and can leave you with very nasty and obvious scars. Follow the instructions on this site as I have found that so far it has helped tremendously.

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Carole robertson, over 2 years

My 2 year old grandaughter developed Chicken pox while away on holiday in a motorhome with me.she was covered in lesions and was very uncomfortable.Not having access to the home medicine cabinet with calpol,calamine etc was a worry but cool bathing in salt water seemed soothing and gentle patting of her skin through a thin cotton dress was something she requested ,I wonder was this just a nice repetitive movement she felt comforted by or did it help healing in some way ?information on this site very helpful and reassuring as Chicken pox looks so dreadful and possibly damaging to the skin.

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june wightman, over 2 years

did you get any response on this, did nhs help you in way. iam 21 weeks now, caught it at 17 weeks until 19 weeks

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teresa jackson, over 2 years

i was woundering my family has chicking pox im 6 months pregrent im cover in spot what will it do to my unborn if i have it also thankyou

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