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08/20/24 Public Health Education Topic: Chickenpox/Varicella

Health Department

Per CDC:

Chickenpox is very contagious. Symptoms include an itchy, blister-like rash in addition to other symptoms. Chickenpox illness usually lasts about 4 to 7 days.

Children usually miss 5 to 6 days of school or childcare due to chickenpox.

For most people, getting chickenpox once provides immunity for life.

A person can get chickenpox more than once, but it is uncommon.


Signs and symptoms

The classic symptom of chickenpox is a rash that turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that eventually turn into scabs. The rash may first show up on the chest, back, and face, before it spreads to the rest of the body. A person with chickenpox may have as many as 500 blisters. It usually takes about 1 week for all of the blisters to become scabs.

Some people who have been vaccinated against chickenpox can still get the disease. However, they usually have milder symptoms.




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