Symptoms of Chickenpox

Symptoms of chickenpox typically include itchy blisters that appear all over the entire body. Low-grade fever and tiredness are also common symptoms. Although these common symptoms can be controlled and treated at home, there are also more serious symptoms that can occur during a chickenpox breakout. These may include high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

 

An Introduction to the Symptoms of Chickenpox

Symptoms of chickenpox can begin with 1 to 2 days of low-grade fever and tiredness. These early symptoms of chickenpox do not always occur before the chickenpox rash develops.
 
Early symptoms of chickenpox are followed by itchy blisters that first appear on the trunk, face, and scalp. These blisters can spread over the entire body, causing between 250 and 500 itchy blisters. The chickenpox rash can appear in three or more successive waves. Eventually, the blisters crust over.
 
Most symptoms of chickenpox occur in people less than 15 years old. Prior to the use of the chickenpox vaccine, the disease had annual cycles, peaking in the spring of each year.
 

More Serious Symptoms of Chickenpox

More serious symptoms of chickenpox include:
 
  • High fever
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Dehydration
  • Worsening of asthma.
     

How Long Do Symptoms of Chickenpox Last?

Chickenpox is generally a mild disease in children. Symptoms of chickenpox most commonly last about 5-10 days. Children usually miss 5 or 6 days of school or childcare due to their chickenpox.
 

Symptoms of Chickenpox and Complications

About 1 in 10 children who first have symptoms of chickenpox will have a complication serious enough to require a visit to a healthcare provider.
 
Most complications of chickenpox are caused by an infection from bacteria. These bacteria can cause chickenpox complications that include:
 
  • Skin or soft tissue infections
  • Pneumonia (usually more severe adults and in children over 13 years old)
  • Bone infections (osteomyelitis)
  • Joint infections (septic arthritis)
  • Toxic shock syndrome.
     
Other serious complications directly related to the chickenpox virus can include:
 
  • Infection of the brain (encephalitis)
  • Bleeding problems
  • Cerebellar ataxia.
     
If your child experiences any of the following serious symptoms of chickenpox, call your healthcare provider immediately. These symptoms may be caused by a chickenpox complication:
 
  • Fever lasts longer than 4 days or rises above 102ºF
  • Seems extremely ill
  • Difficult to wake up or is confused
  • Has difficulty walking
  • Has a stiff neck
  • Is vomiting repeatedly
  • Has difficulty breathing
  • Has a severe cough.
     
Certain groups of people are more likely to have chickenpox complications. These include:
 
  • Adults
  • Infants
  • Adolescents
  • People with weak immune systems from either illnesses or from medications such as long-term steroids.
     
Many people are not aware that, before a vaccine was available, there were approximately 11,000 hospitalizations and 100 deaths from chickenpox in the United States every year. Approximately one child and one adult died each week.
 
(Symptoms of Chickenpox Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD