Chickenpox in Children: Symptoms, Stages and Comfort Care

On this page

• What is chickenpox?
• What does chickenpox look like, and where does it start?
• Is chickenpox contagious, and for how long?
• Can you get chickenpox twice?
• Caring for your child at home
• When to see a doctor
• School and childcare
• FAQs

What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is most common in children and, while usually mild, it can be uncomfortable because of the itch. A chickenpox vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule in Australia — your GP can tell you where your child sits with it.

What does chickenpox look like, and where does it start?

Chickenpox often begins with a fever, headache and tiredness, followed by an itchy rash. The rash usually starts on the chest, back, tummy or face and then spreads. It moves through stages: small red spots, then fluid-filled blisters, which cloud over and crust into scabs. New spots can keep appearing for several days, so a child often has spots at different stages at the same time.

Is chickenpox contagious, and for how long?

Very. It spreads through coughing, sneezing and contact with the blister fluid. A child is contagious from about one to two days before the rash appears until every blister has dried and crusted over — usually around five to seven days after the spots start. Keeping a child away from newborns, pregnant women and anyone with low immunity matters during this time.

Can you get chickenpox twice?

For most people, one bout of chickenpox gives lasting immunity, so catching it twice is uncommon. The same virus can, however, reappear much later in life as shingles. Second cases of chickenpox are possible but unusual, more so in people with weakened immunity.

Caring for your child at home

There is no specific cure — the aim is to ease the itch and keep your child comfortable while it passes:

• Ease the itch. Keep nails short, dress them in loose cotton clothing, and ask your pharmacist about cool baths or calamine lotion to settle itchy skin. Try to discourage scratching, which can lead to infection — including school sores (impetigo) — or scarring.
• Keep fluids up and let them rest.
• Keep an eye on the fever with a forehead thermometer. See our guides to a baby's normal temperature and bringing down a toddler's fever.
• Help them feel comfortable. A FeverMates cooling patch can offer a cooling sensation during a fever. A cooling patch is for comfort only — it does not lower a temperature, and should not be placed over broken or weeping spots.
• Pain and fever relief: ask your pharmacist or GP about suitable options. Aspirin should never be given to children, and some other medicines are not recommended during chickenpox, so check first.

When to see a doctor

Most chickenpox can be managed at home, but see your GP or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (or 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84 in Queensland) if:

• A newborn baby, a pregnant woman, or someone with low immunity has been exposed or has chickenpox
• The skin around the spots becomes red, hot, swollen or starts weeping pus (a sign of infection)
• Your child has a high fever that will not settle, or is unusually drowsy
• There are signs of dehydration, or you are simply worried

If your child is very hard to wake, struggling to breathe, or has a stiff neck or seizure, call 000.

School and childcare

Keep your child home until all the blisters have dried and crusted over — usually about five to seven days after the rash starts. Let your childcare centre or school know so they can alert other families.

Frequently asked questions

Can you get chickenpox twice?

Usually not — one bout normally gives lasting immunity. The virus can return later in life as shingles. Second cases are possible but uncommon, mainly in people with weakened immunity.

What does the start of chickenpox look like?

It often starts with a fever and tiredness, then small red spots on the chest, back, tummy or face. The spots become fluid-filled blisters that cloud over and crust into scabs.

How long is chickenpox contagious?

From about one to two days before the rash appears until every blister has crusted over, usually around five to seven days after the spots start.

How long does chickenpox last?

Usually about one to two weeks from the first spots to the last scabs. Most children feel better within a week, though the spots take longer to fully heal.

Related reading

Not sure if it is chickenpox or something else? Compare it with hand, foot and mouth disease, slapped cheek and roseola. Scratched spots that weep and form golden crusts may have developed into school sores (impetigo). You can browse the full FeverMates range in our online shop.

Sources

Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne; healthdirect Australia; Raising Children Network; Australian Immunisation Handbook. Reviewed against Australian guidance.

This article is general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are worried about your child's health, contact your GP, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or in an emergency call 000.