Varicella (Chickenpox)

Symptoms

Common symptoms of chickenpox include:

• mild headaches
• mild fever
• small red spots (papules) on the skin that develop into vesicles filled with liquid
• the vesicles dry and form a crust
• itchy rash

Mode of transmission

Chickenpox is spread through direct, droplet or airborne contact with infected persons or articles used by them.

Incubation period

The incubation period for chickenpox is 10 to 21 days, usually 14 to 16 days.

Period of communicability

Chickenpox is contagious one or two days prior to the eruption of the rash, until all lesions are dry and crusted (usually five days afterwards).

Exclusion from school

Children with chickenpox are no longer required to stay home from school or child care if they are feeling well enough to attend and participate in school activities. 

If your child has an immune system disorder and comes in contact with chickenpox, call your doctor right away. The doctor can give a special type of immune globulin (VariZIG) with a large concentration of antibodies to chickenpox to help prevent infection, or early treatment with an antiviral drug.

Prevention

The best way to protect yourself and your family from chickenpox, also known as varicella, is by receiving the vaccine. The varicella vaccine is recommended for children ages 12 months and up. It is included in the routine immunization schedule as a 2-dose series and is given to children at 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years of age.

Side effects of vaccine

Reactions to the chickenpox vaccine are generally mild and include injection site reactions. A small number of people will develop a chickenpox-like rash (5%) 5 to 26 days after immunization.

Sections have been adapted with permission from Ottawa Public Health.