Embedded Files
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a vaccine preventable illness. It is highly contagious, often a mild infection, but newborns and children who are at high risk may experience serious illness. Most people have had chickenpox or have been vaccinated by the time they are adults, which may protect them from severe illness.
Symptoms
Usual symptoms include a characteristic rash (red bumps) on the skin. These fluid-containing bumps form over 3-4 days before forming into scabs. Rash may form on the scalp, inside the mouth and ears, and in genital areas. The rash usually causes an itch. People with chickenpox may also experience a cough, runny nose, and fever.
Symptoms
Usual symptoms include a characteristic rash (red bumps) on the skin. These fluid-containing bumps form over 3-4 days before forming into scabs. Rash may form on the scalp, inside the mouth and ears, and in genital areas. The rash usually causes an itch. People with chickenpox may also experience a cough, runny nose, and fever.
Spread
Usual symptoms include a characteristic rash (red bumps) on the skin. These fluid-containing bumps form over 3-4 days before forming into scabs. Rash may form on the scalp, inside the mouth and ears, and in genital areas. The rash usually causes an itch. People with chickenpox may also experience a cough, runny nose, and fever.
Spread
Usual symptoms include a characteristic rash (red bumps) on the skin. These fluid-containing bumps form over 3-4 days before forming into scabs. Rash may form on the scalp, inside the mouth and ears, and in genital areas. The rash usually causes an itch. People with chickenpox may also experience a cough, runny nose, and fever.
Contagious Period
Contagious Period
Someone with chicken pox can infect other people from 1 to 2 days before the rash. They are no longer contagious after the bumps from the rash have completely scabbed and crusted over, and no new rash is forming.
Exclusion
Exclusion
Child Care and School: Exclude infected children and educators from childcare and educational settings. Readmit children to educational settings once all bumps are scabbed. Immunized children with chickenpox may not scab and should be excluded until 24-hours with no new bumps. Unvaccinated children should be excluded from activities for 21 days after the last known exposure.
Causes
Varicella zoster, a member of the herpes virus family.
Causes
Varicella zoster, a member of the herpes virus family.
Incubation
Incubation
Most often, it takes 14 to 16 days after being exposed to the virus to get sick. Sometimes, after being exposed someone might get sick after only 10 days or as late as 21 days.
Prevention/Control
Prevention/Control
Get the chickenpox vaccine according to the most up-to-date recommendations. Older children and adults who have not experienced an infection and have not completed a vaccination series should get completely vaccinated.
Clean and sanitize surfaces, practice frequent and thorough hand washing
Keep rooms ventilated with fresh air
Daycare, School, and LTCF: Reportable within 1 business day; if more than one unrelated case occurs, please contact NKY Health
Parents/guardians: Inform your school/child care provider if your child has this illness
Provider: Report to NKY Health within 1 business day, using EPID 200 and the CDC Varicella Surveillance Worksheet
Disease Information Print out
Disease Information Print out
Chickenpox.pdf
Page updated
Report abuse