What should I do if my child gets chickenpox?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on March 04, 2025
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Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and is highly contagious, usually spreading through the air. Once infected, a person can quickly transmit the disease to others within a small area. After a confirmed diagnosis, antiviral medication is needed, which can be administered orally or through infusion. During treatment, chickenpox may cause high fever; if this occurs, appropriate fever-reducing medication can be used. Throughout the treatment period, it is important to drink plenty of water, rest, avoid strenuous activity, and eat a light diet. Try to isolate during treatment and avoid contact with other children or elderly people to prevent cross-infection.

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Written by Yuan Lin Yan
Infectious Disease
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What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, commonly seen in children and prevalent in the spring season. The only source of infection is individuals with chickenpox. It spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact. The disease is highly contagious and the general population is susceptible, but once recovered, long-lasting immunity is acquired. Clinically, symptoms may include mild fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat, cough, and loss of appetite, lasting for one to two days before the appearance of a rash. The rash first appears on the trunk and then spreads to the face and limbs. Chickenpox rash usually appears in batches, so at the same site, maculopapular rash, vesicles, and crusts can be seen. The crusts typically fall off about a week later, generally leaving no scars. Chickenpox is a self-limiting disease and typically resolves on its own in about ten days.

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Infectious Disease
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What are the symptoms of chickenpox?

Chickenpox is caused by infection with the varicella-zoster virus and is highly contagious. The symptoms of chickenpox mainly include fever and rash. The fever is usually mild and may be accompanied by chills, headache, fatigue, sore throat, and loss of appetite. These symptoms last for one to two days, followed by the appearance of a rash. The rash first appears on the trunk, then on the head and face, with the limbs being relatively less affected. Initially, the rash starts as red maculopapular lesions, which turn into vesicles within a few hours. The chickenpox rash appears in batches. The same area can show maculopapular lesions, vesicles, and crusts. Chickenpox is a self-limiting disease that usually resolves on its own in about ten days. However, complications such as secondary bacterial infections of the rash, pneumonia, encephalitis, and hepatitis can occur, potentially worsening the condition.

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Infectious Disease
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The Differences between Chickenpox and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Chickenpox and hand, foot, and mouth disease are common infectious diseases in young children. Chickenpox is a febrile rash disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Its rash mainly manifests as maculopapular, vesicular, and crusted lesions, which appear simultaneously. Generally, these are primarily seen on the face and trunk with a centripetal distribution. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is mainly caused by viruses, such as enterovirus EV71 or Coxsackievirus A16. It causes a febrile rash disease with rashes typically found on the hands, feet, and around the mouth. Rashes on the chest, back, and face are relatively rare. Thus, the main clinical presentations of hand, foot, and mouth disease and chickenpox are the different forms of rashes.

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Infectious Disease
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Symptoms and Treatment of Chickenpox

The main symptoms of chickenpox include a mild fever and rash, with some patients experiencing headaches, coughs, and other symptoms. Treatment primarily consists of general treatment, antiviral therapy, and treatment of complications.

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Pediatrics
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Can chickenpox in children be transmitted to adults?

Chickenpox is a highly contagious exanthematous disease caused by varicella-zoster virus infection. Its clinical characteristics include the successive or simultaneous appearance of papules, vesicles, and crusts on the skin and mucous membranes. Both chickenpox and herpes zoster patients are sources of infection, primarily from those with chickenpox. From one to two days before the onset of the disease until crusting, it is highly contagious, mainly transmitted through airborne droplets and the respiratory tract, or by contact with vesicular fluid. The general population is susceptible, especially pregnant women and people with low immunity, making it possible to transmit to adults.