Chickenpox

We are currently seeing cases of chickenpox, a viral illness that is caused by a very contagious virus, varicella zoster. To contract chickenpox, a child usually is exposed to another child with it. Then, in about 2 weeks, the child develops a mild fever and an itchy, bumpy red rash. The red bumps turn into very small blisters. The blisters eventually crust over and scab, and then heal back to normal skin. There is a very effective vaccine to prevent your child from getting chickenpox, and most children who have not had chickenpox should receive the vaccine at any time after their first birthday.

Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus — the varicella-zoster virus. A person with shingles can spread the virus to someone who has never had chickenpox or has not been vaccinated against it. In that situation, the exposed person may develop chickenpox. Children are at the highest risk of developing chickenpox after exposure to shingles if they: have never received the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, have never had chickenpox before, are immunocompromised or medically fragile, or are infants too young to be vaccinated

The virus spreads through direct contact with the fluid from shingles blisters.  A child’s risk is much lower if the shingles rash is completely covered. Children who are fully vaccinated against chickenpox are much less likely to become infected after exposure. If a vaccinated child does develop illness, symptoms are usually milder, with fewer lesions and lower fever. Symptoms of chickenpox typically develop 10–21 days after exposure and may include: fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, and an itchy blister-like rash that progresses through different stages before crusting over.

Parents should contact their pediatrician if their child has been exposed to someone with shingles and is unvaccinated, immunocompromised, an infant under the age of one, pregnant or lives with someone who is pregnant or, develops fever or rash symptoms after exposure

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics continue to recommend routine varicella vaccination as the best protection against chickenpox and its complications.