The contagious period of chickenpox is how many days?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on November 26, 2024
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Chickenpox is caused by a viral infection. This disease is quite contagious and is mostly transmitted through the air and respiratory system. The contagious period generally lasts about ten days, but it can vary from person to person, with some patients possibly experiencing a longer duration. Generally, children exhibit milder symptoms and have a shorter treatment period. In adults, the treatment period tends to be longer, typically ending when the symptoms have subsided and the blisters on the body have completely dried and fallen off. Once this disease is contracted, it is essential to isolate and treat it properly using antiviral medications. Children and elderly individuals in the household should avoid frequent contact to prevent transmission. After the onset of chickenpox, high fever may occur, so it is necessary to have some fever-reducing medications on hand to prevent other illnesses caused by the fever.

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Early symptoms of chickenpox

The early symptoms of chickenpox generally include fever, and the rash appears as red papules. Later, it can lead to the development of vesicles. In the initial stage of chickenpox, some precautions need to be taken for children, such as avoiding exposure to wind, keeping children away from crowded places, and ensuring a light and easily digestible diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, such as broccoli, tomatoes, bitter melon, etc. Regarding care, the room should be ventilated for two hours every day to ensure fresh air. Since chickenpox is caused by a viral infection, some antiviral traditional Chinese medicines can be administered to the child for treatment.

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When to get the chickenpox vaccine?

Chickenpox primarily affects infants and children, and the target group for chickenpox vaccination is mainly 1-12 years old. During this age period, most children enter preschool or elementary school institutions, and the chickenpox virus is highly contagious, transmittable through droplets and contact. Once one child contracts chickenpox, the surrounding children are almost certain to be infected too. Additionally, since there are currently no effective medications to cure chickenpox, it is best to vaccinate within this age range, namely 1-12 years old. Adults can receive the chickenpox vaccine without age restrictions. The timing can be decided based on individual circumstances, but it is generally recommended to get vaccinated before the onset of the peak season for chickenpox, which is best before the spring and winter seasons.

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How is chickenpox transmitted?

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus infection, and it can be transmitted in two ways. One way is through the secretion of the nasopharynx, such as contagious droplets spread by coughing, sneezing, or talking, which can infect people nearby. The fluid from the blisters of chickenpox is also contagious. The primary rash of chickenpox consists of blisters, and before these blisters dry up and crust over, touching the fluid from these blisters can also transmit chickenpox. Therefore, patients with chickenpox need to be isolated until the blisters dry and form crusts before quarantine can be lifted.

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Symptoms of chickenpox

Chickenpox symptoms are divided into two phases, namely the prodromal phase and the rash phase: 1. Prodromal phase. Infants and young children often have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, which may include mild fever, irritability, refusal to breastfeed, and the simultaneous appearance of rashes. Older children and adults may experience chills, mild fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat, cough, nausea, and loss of appetite. These symptoms last for one to two days before the rash appears. 2. Rash phase. The rash first appears on the trunk, then spreads to the face and limbs. It starts as red maculopapular rash, turns into papules within a few hours, and develops into vesicles. The vesicle fluid is initially clear but soon becomes cloudy, and itching often accompanies the vesicles. About a week later, the scabs fall off and heal, generally leaving no scars. However, if there is a secondary infection, pus-filled lesions may form, and scabbing and healing may take longer. Chickenpox rashes are distributed centripetally, mainly located on the trunk and then the head and face, with fewer on the limbs. Some patients may also develop vesicles on mucous membranes such as in the mouth, throat, conjunctiva, and external genitalia, which break open to form ulcers. The chickenpox rash often appears in successive crops, so at the same site, maculopapular rash, vesicles, and scabs can be seen concurrently. Chickenpox is generally a self-limiting disease and tends to heal naturally within about ten days. Children usually experience milder symptoms and rashes, while adults have more severe symptoms and are more prone to complications like chickenpox pneumonia. Individuals with lowered immune function are susceptible to disseminated chickenpox, where the rash may merge into larger vesicles. Infections during pregnancy can cause fetal malformations, premature birth, or stillbirth. If chickenpox occurs a few days before delivery, the newborn may contract neonatal chickenpox, which can be quite severe.

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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.