Understanding Chickenpox

Melissa, Allcare’s Pharmacy Regulation & Health Services Coordinator, discusses what chickenpox is, how it spreads, and how it is usually treated.

What is chickenpox?

The medical name for chickenpox is varicella because it is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It’s a highly infectious disease, which means it’s easy to catch from someone who already has chickenpox.

The good news is that, in most cases, once you’ve had it, your body is able to protect you from catching it again. 90% of adults in Ireland are immune to chickenpox because they had the disease as a child.

How can I spot chickenpox?

The illness usually starts with one to two days of fever, aches and pains, and feeling out of sorts. Then, an itchy, spotty rash develops, turning from spots to blisters to scabs and crusts. How many spots appear varies from person to person; some people hardly have any, while others are covered head to toe.

How does chickenpox spread?

The infection is spread in the fluid found in chickenpox blisters and the droplets in the coughs or sneezes of someone with the infection.

Chickenpox is contagious from one to two days before the rash appears until all the blisters have scabbed over. This takes about five days. Because chickenpox is highly contagious, you should try to prevent spreading it by avoiding contact with others, particularly those at higher risk of complications such as pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

How is chickenpox treated?

For most children, chickenpox is mild and will usually clear on its own after a few days, without any treatment.

If required, our pharmacists can advise on medicines that may help relieve itching or reduce pain and discomfort. Paracetamol is the preferred painkiller for treating the associated symptoms of chickenpox. This is due to a very small risk of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, causing adverse skin reactions during chickenpox.
Never give your child aspirin if you suspect or know that they have chickenpox.

If complications develop, your doctor will decide on the appropriate treatment. If you need to book a doctor's appointment, tell the receptionist that your child has chickenpox, as you may need to arrange a special appointment time to avoid infecting other patients.

Can chickenpox be prevented?

Chickenpox can also be prevented with a vaccination. The chickenpox vaccination is not part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule in Ireland. The vaccine may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions.

For more information on chickenpox, call into your local Allcare pharmacy or ask a question through our online Ask a Pharmacist service.