What is it?
Varicella or chickenpox is a contagious illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus
Historically, chickenpox has been a childhood disease that most people would catch before age 14 but you can get chickenpox at any age
If you’ve had chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the roots of your nerve cells and can reappear as shingles, a painful skin rash
What are the symptoms?
Initially, fever, tiredness, headache and muscle and joint pain
One or 2 days later an itchy, bumpy, red rash appears
After a day or 2 the rash turns to blisters which become cloudy and then break and form scabs
The scabs disappear within 2 weeks
The chickenpox rash is usually harmless and goes away on its own
How can I contract chicken pox?
You can become infected when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes into the air and you breathe in the droplets
Or if you have direct contact with the blisters or saliva of a person who is infected with chickenpox or shingles
Where can I get it?
You can get chickenpox anywhere in the world, particularly in densely populated urban settings
What vaccines are available?
The chickenpox vaccine
In Canada, the vaccine is part of the recommended childhood immunization schedule
It is 85-95% effective
Will I need a booster?
How can I prevent it?
Avoid contact with anyone infected with chickenpox until all the blisters have dried and scabs have formed
What is the treatment for Yellow Fever?
Drink lots of liquids such as water, juice and soup especially if there is a fever
Keep your fingernails short and clean, as bacteria found under fingernails can infect open skin lesions
Keep the skin cool to relieve itching
Apply cool-water compresses, dress lightly, have lukewarm baths and showers
Keep the infected person away from other people who have not had chickenpox
Use hot water and strong detergent to wash clothing and other items that have been soiled with fluid from chickenpox blisters
Ask TMVC about creams or ointments that can reduce the itching