Chicken pox/Chickenpox
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 spots may take longer to fade. Your child may have been feeling under the weather for a couple of weeks before the first 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



about 1 month
Sarah Adams
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.