Chickenpox vaccine protects against the contagious chicken pox (varicella) disease. Learn more about who should get the vaccine and possible risks. Chickenpox is a viral infection caused by the varicella zoster virus (a herpes virus). It causes symptoms like blisters, rashes, fever, and more. It is transmitted easily through contact with other people who have an active chickenpox infection. The
There's no cure but there are plenty of treatments for chickenpox, including home remedies and OTC drugs for relieving the itch and other symptoms. For most people, treatment for chickenpox simply involves letting it run its course. Most cases do so without complications in a week to 10 days. Oatmeal baths, calamine lotion, over-the-counter pain relievers and antihistamines, and other
Learn whether or not you can get chickenpox more than once or if a natural infection gives you lifelong immunity. Children typically build up a lifelong immunity to chickenpox (varicella) after getting an infection and don't get it again. But parents may still wonder whether their child might get this infection twice, and whether vaccination is
The best way to prevent chickenpox is to be vaccinated. Learn about the two options and how to further prevent the spread of this illness. Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It is spread by close contact with an infected person as well as through respiratory droplets and aerosolized airborne particles that are emitted when an
Chickenpox usually runs its course with no complications. Learn about the virus that causes this illness and risk factors for becoming infected. Chickenpox is a viral infection, which simply means that it's caused by a specific virus that spreads easily from person to person. Thanks to a highly effective vaccine for preventing chickenpox, the illness has become increasingly less common
Review the symptoms of chickenpox, a viral infection that is becoming less common because most children now receive the chickenpox vaccine. By the time rash, fever, swollen glands, and other symptoms of chickenpox (varicella) begin to appear, the virus will already have been in a person's body for a week or more.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention