Chicken pox spots how many

VZV can also cause another condition known as shingles or herpes zoster. The risks of contracting chickenpox and the development of complications are higher in a person with a weakened immune system. A weakened immune system can result if a person:. There is no cure for chickenpox, but it generally resolves within a week or two without treatment. A doctor may prescribe medication or give advice on how to reduce symptoms of itchiness and discomfort, and also on how to prevent transmission of the infection.

A doctor may prescribe antiviral medication during pregnancy, for adults who get an early diagnosis, for newborns, and for those with a weakened immune system. Acyclovir is one example of an antiviral medication that treats chickenpox. This works best if it is given within 24 hours of developing symptoms.

It reduces the severity of symptoms but does not cure the disease. There is no cure for chickenpox, but a vaccine is available for VZV. People should avoid close contact with people known to have chickenpox, avoid sharing objects with them, isolate any household members with chickenpox from others, and disinfect surfaces an infected person may have touched.

Among unvaccinated people who develop chickenpox, a few people may have more severe symptoms. Adults are more susceptible to complications than children, but even in adults, they are rare. Pregnant women, newborns, and infants up to 4 weeks old, as well as those with weakened immune systems, are more likely to experience complications.

People who are pregnant have a slightly higher risk of developing pneumonia from chickenpox. There is also a danger of passing the infection to the fetus. If infection occurs during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, there is a higher risk of congenital varicella syndrome. This can cause scarring in the fetus, as well as eye problems, brain drainage, and shortened arms or legs. If the infection happens later in pregnancy, the virus can transmit directly to the fetus and the baby can be born infected.

If a person becomes exposed to varicella during pregnancy, it is important to talk to a doctor right away. In cases when a person is not vaccinated and is not sure whether they have had chickenpox as a child, they can get a laboratory test to determine whether they did have the virus in the past. People who have had chickenpox as children will not get the disease again.

Chickenpox often starts without the classic rash, with a fever, headache , sore throat , or stomachache. The red, itchy skin rash usually starts on the belly or back and face. Then it spreads to almost everywhere else on the body, including the scalp, mouth, arms, legs, and genitals. The rash begins as many small red bumps that look like pimples or insect bites. They appear in waves over 2 to 4 days, then develop into thin-walled blisters filled with fluid. The blister walls break, leaving open sores, which finally crust over to become dry, brown scabs.

All three stages of the chickenpox rash red bumps, blisters, and scabs appear on the body at the same time. The rash may spread wider or be more severe in kids who have weak immune systems or skin disorders like eczema.

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus VZV. This virus also can cause a painful skin rash called shingles herpes zoster later in life. After someone has had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant resting in the nervous system for the rest of their life. The virus can reactivate "wake up" later as shingles. Kids who are vaccinated against chickenpox are much less likely to develop shingles when they get older.

Chickenpox is very contagious. Most kids with a sibling who's infected also will get it if they haven't already had the infection or the vaccine , showing symptoms about 2 weeks after the first child does. Chickenpox is contagious from about 2 days before the rash starts until all the blisters are crusted over. Someone with shingles can spread chickenpox but not shingles to people who haven't had chickenpox or the vaccine.

Check other rashes in children. You'll need to stay away from school, nursery or work until all the spots have crusted over. They may recommend a special appointment time if other patients are at risk.

You may need medicine to prevent complications. You need to take it within 24 hours of the spots appearing. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one. Go to You can catch chickenpox by being in the same room as someone with it. It's also spread by touching clothes or bedding that has fluid from the blisters on them. Chickenpox cannot live on objects like sheets, counters or toys.

Can chickenpox cause bigger problems? Babies who get chickenpox from their mothers before birth could be born with birth defects like skin scars, eye problems, brain damage or arms and legs that are not fully formed.

Chickenpox can be very severe or even life-threatening to babies in the first month of life, to adolescents and adults, and to anyone who has a weak immune system. Children with chickenpox can get pneumonia infection of the lungs or get inflammation of the brain.

The blisters can get infected with bacteria and this can lead to lifelong scars. Can you have chickenpox twice? What is shingles? How can I treat chickenpox? If your child gets chickenpox, do not give aspirin [acetylsalicylic acid ASA ] or any products that contain aspirin. This severe illness can damage the liver and brain. Encourage your child not to scratch.

Scratching can cause infection from bacteria that get into the skin. Adding baking soda to bathwater can be soothing. Your doctor may recommend a cream to help reduce the itch. Infants with chickenpox, and older children or adults with a severe disease may be treated with antiviral drugs. When should I call the doctor? A new fever develops after the first couple of days. That is, the fever goes away for a day or so and returns.