Varicella (chicken pox)

Varicellan (chickenpox) is caused by a virus called Varicella-zoster. It starts with a fever and is followed by a rash of red spots that may be itchy. There may be hundreds of these spots, which eventually turn into blisters filled with fluid. After four or five days, the blisters dry out and become crusted. From start to finish, chickenpox may last seven to ten days.

The virus spreads easily and quickly through personal contact such as touching the blisters. People with chickenpox can also spread the virus through the air when they cough or sneeze. A pregnant woman can pass the chickenpox virus on to her baby before it is born.

Most adults today who grew up in Canada had chickenpox as children. It is estimated that 90% of children who are not vaccinated for chickenpox will get it by the time they are twelve. As a general rule, you can only get chickenpox once, but it's also possible for the virus to remain in your body and become active again later on. When this happens, the virus causes a painful rash of blisters called shingles.

Most children who get chickenpox recover completely. However, severe cases of chickenpox can pose serious health risks, especially for newborn babies, adults, or anyone with a weakened immune system.

Public Health Agency of Canada

Centre for Disease Control and Prevention

Immunize British Columbia

Caring for Kids

Sick Kids Hospital

Canadian Coalition for Immunization for Awareness and Promotion