Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Symptoms of Chickenpox

Chickenpox in children usually starts with a slight fever and feeling unwell, sometimes with mild flu-like symptoms. A rash then appears in patches, usually behind the ears, under the arms, on the chest and stomach, and the arms and legs.

The rash is made up of small, itchy, red spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters within a few hours. They then dry out to form scabs in a day or two. Patches of spots continue to appear for up to six days. Chickenpox is normally a very mild illness in children.

Chickenpox is rare but usually much more serious in adults. You may have a high temperature, aches and pains and a headache a day or so before the rash appears.

Once you’ve had chickenpox you develop lifelong immunity to it. It’s rare to catch chickenpox again – occasionally some people with a weak immune system may have a very mild re-infection (often without any symptoms). However, the virus lays dormant in your nervous system and if you had chickenpox as a child it may cause you to develop shingles later in life. You can only get shingles if you have previously had chickenpox.

In shingles a rash develops in a similar way to chickenpox, with spots appearing in patches that turn into small blisters and are itchy. The rash occurs on one side of the body, often over the ribs, but may appear elsewhere on the body including in the mouth. Shingles makes people feel quite unwell, and you may have a temperature, dry cough, sore throat and feel sick for several days. The blisters gradually dry up and scab over, and usually go completely after 2-4 weeks.

A person with shingles is contagious (infectious) to people who haven’t had chickenpox. You can’t catch shingles from a person with chickenpox.

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

  ---