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Chickenpox (Varicella)
- Topic Overview
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Health Tools
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Happens
- What Increases Your Risk
- When To Call a Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Prevention
- Home Treatment
- Medications
- Other Places To Get Help
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You are at risk for chickenpox if you have not had chickenpox or the vaccine and you:
- Live with someone who has chickenpox.
- Are indoors for more than 1 hour with someone who has chickenpox.
- Are in the hospital and share a room with someone who later develops chickenpox or are cared for by a staff member who later develops chickenpox.
- Have an impaired immune system.
Your risk of getting chickenpox is especially high if you are exposed to a household member with chickenpox, because of the close contact. Also, you may develop a more severe case than the person who infected you. Chickenpox is most contagious from 1 to 2 days before the rash appears until the blisters have dried and formed crusts.
Some people also are at increased risk of complications from chickenpox, such as newborns, teenagers, adults—especially pregnant women—and those with impaired immune systems.
After you have had chickenpox or the vaccine, you become immune to the virus. It is possible that you may have a slight reaction after reexposure, such as a few spots and a slight fever. But you are not likely to get chickenpox more than once.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last 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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