Most patients with chickenpox will feel unwell with fever, tiredness for few days before breaking out in a rash.
The rash often looks like a combination of red spots and water blisters that may pop and dry into crusted scabs. This may start in one area then spread quickly to involve the rest of the body, face and limbs, and occasionally even inside the mouth. The number of spots can look quite alarming as it can cover almost the whole body and the patient generally feels quite unwell. The blisters usually clear up within one to three weeks but may leave a few depressed scars.
In adults, the symptoms may be more severe. It is recommended that patients see a doctor if they have any symptoms of fever and rash so that an early diagnosis can be made.
Antiviral medicines can be given to shorten the course of the illness. If there is any associated bacterial infection, that should be treated early too. Patients with chickenpox especially at the early and blister stages are highly infectious and can pass the virus to people around them. They should therefore be isolated and not be in contact with people who have never had the virus before.
There are now vaccines available against the chicken pox virus. This can be considered to reduce the risk of contracting chickenpox although it does not protect 100% against it.
Hope this helps!
Best regards
Dr Stephanie Ho, Dermatologist
