Most babies receive chicken pox antibodies from their mothers in utero, which is why the BabyCenter website states it is unusual for an infant to contract chicken pox. Those that do become infected usually experience a mild case with symptoms that go away without treatment. Because chicken pox is highly contagious, however, it becomes important to recognize the symptoms and keep your child home until they are gone.
Rash & Blisters
The telltale sign of chicken pox is an itchy rash made of small, narrow spots that will eventually form into blisters. These usually first appear on the abdomen, face and back, according to the KidsHealth website, but will eventually spread to all parts of the body. The BabyCenter website estimates that infants may get as many as 250 to 500 blisters in total.
The Ask Dr. Sears website says a definitive diagnosis is usually not possible until day three of spot-sighting. The website suggests keeping an eye on a few spots. If they become blisters within a day, chicken pox is likely.
Fever
Many infants with chicken pox will have a fever that ranges between 100 and 102 degrees, according to the KidsHealth website. In rare cases, the fever may become higher.
Flu-like Symptoms
Many parents report that their babies appear to have flu-like symptoms, according to the BabyCenter website, that appear as early as two days before the appearance of blisters. These can include appetite loss, a mild cough or runny nose, and abdominal pain and they can last for a few days.
Symptoms of Concern
Although rare, chicken pox can lead to more serious complications that can include a bacterial skin infection, pneumonia or brain swelling. Symptoms of concern, according to the BabyCenter website, include a rash that spreads to the eyes, and skin surrounding the blisters that becomes swollen, painful or very red. If your baby shows any of these signs, call the pediatrician immediately.
Chicken Pox Vaccine Symptoms
When your baby turns one, your pediatrician may recommend the first round of the two-part chicken pox vaccine. The vaccine can protect your child against the worst of the virus, and against shingles later in life. According to the BabyCenter website, approximately ten percent of adults who had had chicken pox get shingles, an extremely painful rash with disfiguring blisters, at some point in their lives.
Vaccine symptoms include low-grade fever and soreness at the injection site. Approximately four percent will have a mild rash that consists of a handful of chicken pox-like blisters. Although extremely rare, some may experience a febrile seizure, or seizure related to a high fever.
