chickenpox
Last edited 07/2021 and last reviewed 02/2023
Chickenpox is a highly infectious, acute contagious disease predominantly of children under 10 years old, though it may occur at any age. It is characterised by fever and a rash, and is caused by varicella zoster virus (1).
The name chickenpox is said to relate to the similarity of the skin lesions to boiled chick-peas.
Around 90% of people who come into contact will develop the disease (1).
Transmission is through
- direct person to person contact
- airborne droplet infection
- through contact with infected articles such as clothing and bedding (1)
Around 90% of adults over the age of 18 years have immunity for VZV in the UK (3). Although not seen in recent years, varicella infections occurs in a seasonal pattern with a peak incidence from March to May (2).
Reactivation of latent VZV will result in shingles (herpes zoster) which is more likely to be seen in adults (2).
A person exposed to shingles may develop Chicken pox but a person exposed to Chicken pox will not develop Shingles (2).
Click here for an example image of this condition
Key points (4):
- pregnant/immunocompromised/ neonate:
- seek urgent specialist advice
- chickenpox:
- consider aciclovir if:
- onset of rash <24 hours, and 1 of the following:
- >14 years of age;
- severe pain;
- dense/oral rash;
- taking steroids;
- smoker
- onset of rash <24 hours, and 1 of the following:
- give paracetamol for pain relief
- consider aciclovir if:
Reference:
- (1) Health Protection Agency. Varicella Zoster – general information
- (2) Department of Health 2006. The green book - Varicella
- (3) Tunbridge AJ et al. Chickenpox in adults - Clinical management. Journal of Infection 2008;57:95e102
- (4) Public Health England (June 2021). Managing common infections: guidance for primary care
chickenpox in certain subgroups
infectivity of some common infections
exclusion from school (guidance re: common infections)
varicella vaccination in children
recurrent episodes ( getting chickenpox twice )
shingles (zoster) and varicella (chickenpox) and use of NSAIDs