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Varicella (Chickenpox) and Shingles

General Information

Varicella (Chickenpox) is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The defining symptom is an itchy, blister-like rash. Chickenpox illness usually lasts about 4 to 7 days. Children usually miss 5 to 6 days of school or childcare due to chickenpox.

For most people, getting chickenpox once provides immunity for life. However, varicella-zoster virus also causes shingles. After people recover from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in the body. This virus can reactivate later in life and cause shingles.

Symptoms

It takes about 10 to 21 days after exposure to a person with chickenpox or shingles for symptoms of chickenpox to start. Symptoms of chickenpox usually last about 4 to 7 days. Common symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Tiredness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Headache
  • Rash

The rash usually turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that eventually become scabs. The rash may start on the chest, back, and face. Then it can spread over the entire body, including inside the mouth, eyelids, or genital area. It usually takes about 1 week for all the blisters to become scabs.

Prevention

The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get the Varicella vaccine. Everyone should get 2 doses of vaccine if they never had chickenpox. This includes children, adolescents, and adults. Most people who get the vaccine will not get chickenpox.

Other ways to prevent chickenpox include:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
  • Do not share eating utensils
  • Clean surfaces that are frequently touched on a regular basis

Shingles

You can protect yourself from shingles by getting the shingles vaccine. This vaccine is available for adults 50 years and older. People 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems can also get the shingles vaccine.

People who never had chickenpox before or are unvaccinated can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles. If you have shingles, keeping the rash covered can help lower the risk of spreading the virus to others. Keep the rash covered until after it scabs over.

Data and Publications

Varicella surveillance reports 2022 (PDF) | 2021 (PDF) | 2020 (PDF) | 2019 (PDF)

Resources