About Chickenpox

Chickenpox or chicken pox is a highly contagious illness, which is common among kids, particularly under the age 12. It is caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV).  It usually starts with vesicular skin rash mainly on the body and head and becomes itchy spots that look like blisters.  When with the chickenpox you may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms.  Chickenpox is an airborne disease spread easily through coughing or sneezing of ill individuals or through direct contact with oozing from the rash.  A person with chickenpox is infectious from one to five days before the rash appears.  The contagious period continues for 4 to 5 days after the appearance of the rash, or until all scratches have crusted over.  It takes from 10 to 21 days after contact with an infected person for someone to develop chickenpox.

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