Chickenpox (Varicella)

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Most people can get the chickenpox shot (vaccine) to prevent chickenpox. The shot doesn't fully protect you right away. But you'll become immune to the virus with a little time. If you get the shot within 3 days after you were exposed to the virus, you may prevent chickenpox or at least get a milder case.

Most people don’t get chickenpox more than once. But it’s possible to have a mild case, such as a few spots and a slight fever, if you're exposed to the virus again.

Antiviral medicines may be an option after you start to have symptoms of chickenpox. These medicines do not prevent or cure chickenpox, but they can help shorten its course and make it milder.

Immunoglobulins can be given to help protect you from getting chickenpox after you have been exposed to it. But these medicines can give only short-term protection (up to 3 months).

After you have symptoms of chickenpox, you can use oral over-the-counter medicines to help relieve discomfort. Check with your child's doctor before giving medicine to your child.

Medication Choices

Vaccination to prevent chickenpox

To prevent chickenpox, most people can get the chickenpox vaccine Click here to view a form. (What is a PDF document?) (Varivax) before exposure to the virus.

  • Two doses are routinely given at 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years of age. Adolescents and adults who are not already immune can get two doses at least 4 weeks apart.
  • Children age 12 and younger can substitute the MMRV (ProQuad) shot instead of getting separate shots for chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella. Talk to your child's doctor about the pros and cons of the MMRV shot.

If you are exposed to chickenpox and you get the vaccine within 72 hours (3 days), you may not get sick or your illness may be mild. If you can't get the shot within 3 days, getting it up to 120 hours (5 days) after exposure may still help.2 Some people can't get the chickenpox vaccine, including women who are pregnant and people who have ever had a serious allergic reaction to gelatin or the drug neomycin.

Medicines to help reduce the severity of chickenpox

  • Antiviral medicines, such as acyclovir. Antiviral medicine is usually used to treat adults and people with impaired immune systems. Healthy children usually don't need this medicine when they have chickenpox. It is not known whether antiviral medicines reduce a person's chances of having complications of chickenpox.
  • Immunoglobulins (IG). Immunoglobulins help the body's immune system recognize and destroy harmful bacteria and viruses in the body, such as the varicella virus. To prevent infections, IG can be given to pregnant women or people who have certain immune system deficiencies. Immunoglobulin is usually taken from the blood of people recovering from an illness. For example, the IG given to help prevent chickenpox infection is called VariZIG (or VZIG). It is taken from the blood of people who are recovering from chickenpox. If you get VariZIG or IG within 96 hours (4 days) of being exposed to an infected person, it can help make your illness milder or may prevent you from getting ill. If you notice signs of chickenpox infection in the 3 to 4 weeks after you've been exposed, call your doctor. The protection provided by an immunoglobulin injection lasts about 3 months. Immunoglobulin for chickenpox must be given before a rash appears.

Medicines to relieve pain and discomfort from chickenpox

  • Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil) to control pain and fever. Follow the package instructions carefully. If you give medicine to your baby, follow your doctor's advice about what amount to give. People over age 20 also can take aspirin to reduce fever. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 because of the risk of Reye syndrome.
  • Oral antihistamines to relieve itching, such as Benadryl or Vistaril. Talk to your doctor before using any antihistamine lotions or creams on yourself or your child. And check with your child's doctor before giving antihistamine pills to your child.

What to Think About

Vaccinations to prevent chickenpox help you or your child avoid an illness that causes discomfort, missed work or school, and possibly complications.

In rare cases, you or your child will get a mild rash after having the chickenpox vaccine. If this occurs, it is best to stay away from other people who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine. When the rash is gone and all blisters have dried and crusted over, you are no longer potentially contagious.

When you use medicines to treat symptoms of chickenpox, follow instructions carefully. It is especially important to use care when giving prescription and nonprescription medicines to newborns and small children. If you need to, you can use soothing, non-antihistamine lotions (such as calamine or Aveeno). But talk to your doctor before using any other skin products for itching.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to you or your child if you develop a skin infection from chickenpox blisters.

By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: July 30, 2010
Medical Review: Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics
Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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