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Chickenpox and shingles
Information for patients
This leaflet can be made available in other formats including large print, CD and braille,
and in languages other than English, upon request.
IPC/459 (2013)
Page 1 of 4
For Review Winter 2016
This leaflet tells you about chickenpox and shingles.
What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus. Infection is most common in children but
also occurs in adults.
How is chickenpox caught or spread?
Chickenpox can easily be passed from person to person. It is spread by airborne droplets and
close contact with an infected person. The disease develops 10 - 21 days after exposure to the
virus and is infectious until the last spot has dried up (usually 5 - 7 days after the first spots
appeared).
What are the signs and symptoms of chickenpox?
These can include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
a high temperature (fever)
tiredness
rash
coughing
loss of appetite
vomiting (being sick).
Chickenpox may begin with cold-like symptoms followed by a high temperature and an itchy rash
of red spots which turn into watery blisters within a few hours. The spots appear over several
days. They then burst and form scabs. The rash can cover all parts of the body, including the eyes
and inside of the mouth.
What treatment is given for chickenpox?
Chickenpox usually clears up without treatment, but the infection is worse in adults.
If you have been exposed to chickenpox or shingles and are non-immune or classed as high risk
due to a medical condition or pregnancy you may be offered antiretroviral treatment. The
treatment (an injection) can prevent or reduce how severe the infection is, if given within the first
few days after coming into contact with the virus.
Your Healthcare
North Tees and Hartlepool
NHS Foundation Trust
Chickenpox and shingles
IPC/459 (2013)
Page 2 of 4
For Review Winter 2016
In hospital you will be cared for in a single room to prevent the spread of infection to others.
You should:
•
rest where possible and wear light, loose cotton clothes.
•
drink plenty of fluids to help reduce any fever
•
apply calamine lotion to the spots to reduce itching or take the medicine (antihistamine)
which may be prescribed by your doctor. The rash may be painful so the use of painkillers
may be needed. Antibiotics may be given if the spots become infected. Always follow the
instructions provided in the leaflet supplied with your tablets.
•
keep the rash clean and dry. You must not pick or scratch the spots as this may cause
permanent scarring.
What is shingles?
Once you have had chickenpox you develop lifelong immunity to it and it is rare to catch
chickenpox again.
Shingles is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus which mainly affects adults. It may be triggered
by stress or being in poor health, often the cause is unknown.
You can only get shingles if you have had chickenpox.
What are the signs and symptoms of shingles?
These can include:
•
•
•
tiredness
pain
a rash similar to that of chickenpox. The rash occurs on one side of the body, (often over the
ribs) spreading over the affected nerve, but can sometimes affect half of the face or head. The
rash will be present for about 7 days but the pain may last for longer.
What treatment is given for shingles?
Treatment for shingles is the same as for chickenpox.
If you are in hospital, you will be cared for in a single room to prevent the spread of infection to
others. You will be prescribed painkillers for any pain and may be given creams or lotion for the
rash.
Shingles is infectious, but less so than chickenpox. If you have shingles you can pass chickenpox
to someone who has never had it before.
Your Healthcare
North Tees and Hartlepool
NHS Foundation Trust
Chickenpox and shingles
IPC/459 (2013)
Page 3 of 4
For Review Winter 2016
When can I go back to work or school?
You may return to work or school once you are fully recovered and the last spot has dried up
(usually 5 - 7 days after the first spots appeared).
Is there anything else I should know?
Chickenpox is usually a mild illness and complications are rare. However, it can cause serious
illness in adults, people with a low immune system and premature babies.
Chickenpox can affect the developing baby of a pregnant woman (especially during the early and
very late stages) if she does not have natural immunity. This is rare, but if you are pregnant and
you have been in contact with a person with chickenpox or shingles, you must contact your GP
as soon as possible. You may need to have a blood test or may need treatment.
Contact numbers
If you have any questions or concerns please ask your GP or nurse. Contact your GP's surgery
during normal surgery hours. Outside surgery hours you should contact your GP's surgery for the
Out of Hours Service number.
Infection Prevention and Control Department
telephone: 01642 383280
Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm
Further information is available from:
NHS Direct
telephone: 111 (when it is less urgent than 999)
Calls to this number are free from landlines and mobile phones
or via the website at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Information used in the development of this leaflet
1.
Heininger U & Seward JF (2006) "Varicella" The Lancet, 368 (9544), p. 1365.
2.
Hawker, J. el al (2012) Communicable Disease Control and Health Protection Handbook.
Wiley - Blackwell Publishing. Oxford.
Your Healthcare
North Tees and Hartlepool
NHS Foundation Trust
Chickenpox and shingles
IPC/459 (2013)
Page 4 of 4
For Review Winter 2016
This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient
leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be
improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Quality Assurance Team,
University Hospital of North Tees or email: [email protected].
Comments, Concerns, Compliments or Complaints
We are continually trying to improve the services we provide.
We want to know what we're doing well or if there's anything which we can improve;
that's why the Patient Experience Team is here to help.
Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as
possible. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please
contact:
telephone: 01642 624719
Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 4.00pm
Messages can be left on the answering machine and will be picked up throughout the
day.
freephone: 0800 092 0084
Mobile (can use text): 07795061883
Email: [email protected]
Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the
hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person:
telephone: 01642 617617
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
The Patient Experience Team is available to discuss your concerns in person Monday Friday, 1.30pm - 4.30pm.
Data Protection and use of patient information
The Trust has developed a Data Protection Policy in accordance with the Data
Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect
this policy and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further
information please contact the Head of Communications.
telephone: 01642 624339 or www.dataprotection.gov.uk
University Hospital of North Tees, Hardwick, Stockton-on-Tees TS19 8PE
Telephone: 01642 617617
Fax: 01642 624089
University Hospital of Hartlepool, Holdforth Road, Hartlepool TS24 9AH
Telephone: 01429 266654
Fax: 01429 522177
Your Healthcare
North Tees and Hartlepool
NHS Foundation Trust