Download University College Hospital Chickenpox in children and young adults

Publication date: June 2014
Review date: June 2016
Patient leaflet code: UCLH/MB/ED/CHICKENPOX-C&YA/1
© University College Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2014
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Contact details
Chickenpox
in children and
young adults
Information for parents
and carers
Emergency Department
What is Chickenpox?
How is it passed on?
What are the symptoms?
•secretions of the nose and throat
Chickenpox is an infection caused by the
Varicella Zoster virus.
Symptoms include:
•An itchy, sometimes painful rash with
blister-like spots. These spots contain
fluid and occur in ‘crops’ over several
days.
•The rash is usually worse on the body
and face, but can affect the scalp,
hands, feet, eyes and mouth.
•Fever, headache, general malaise
(lethargy).
• Muscle aches.
Who does it affect?
Usually children (especially young children
under 10 years of age) but adults and
older children can be affected.
The time from exposure to developing
symptoms is one to three weeks (usually
15 to 18 days).
Chickenpox is highly infectious and is
easily passed to someone by direct
contact with:
•the liquid from the blister-like spots of
the rash
•contact with items recently
contaminated by both of these
secretions, for example towels and bed
linen.
Should you stay off school
or work?
You should stay off school or work for five
days after the onset of the rash and should
avoid contact with newborn babies,
pregnant women, people with weak
immune systems and those who may not
have had chickenpox.
The most infectious period is from one to
two days before the rash appears but
infectivity continues until all the spots have
crusted over (commonly about five to six
days after the onset of illness).
People are not infectious once all of the
rash is dry and crusts over.
Are there any special risks?
Chickenpox can affect the developing
baby of a pregnant woman if she does not
have natural immunity (especially during
the early and very late stages).
If you are pregnant and you have been in
contact with chickenpox, always discuss
this with your doctor or midwife so that
they can advise you if you need any blood
tests or treatments.
Does my child need any
treatment?
Care at home
Chickenpox usually gets better without
any medication, but some people may
develop symptoms that require
treatment.
An itchy rash can be treated with
calamine lotion or antihistamines. If a
rash is painful, you may give your child
pain relief such as paracetamol,
following the instructions on the bottle.
Call your GP
If your child is not drinking enough,
has spots in their eyes or you are
worried, they should be reviewed by a
healthcare professional.