Signs & Symptoms of Chicken Pox

Chickenpox is an infectious disease that has come under control because of the availability of the chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and is also called varicella disease. Chickenpox is highly infectious. It is spread by direct contact with an infected person or by the infected person's coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread from skin lesions. The rash associated with chickenpox comes in three stages, each with specific signs and symptoms.

First Stage

The first stage of the chickenpox rash appears as raised bumps on the skin. These raised bumps are called papules. The bumps are pink or red. The common places where the rash occurs are the back, the face, the chest and the scalp.

Second Stage

In the second stage of the chickenpox rash, the bumps on the skin turn into blisters that are filled with fluid. These fluid-filled blisters are called vesicles.

Third Stage

In the third stage of the chickenpox rash, the fluid-filled blisters scab over and become crusty.

Other Rash Sites

The rash associated with chickenpox can spread across the entire body, even into the throat, vagina and eyes. New rash sites can develop several days after the first appearance of the chickenpox rash.

Other Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms that can appear with the rash include a dry cough, headaches, and a general feeling of unease and discomfort. This can also include irritability. Other signs and symptoms include fever, abdominal pain and a loss of appetite.

Serious Complications

There can be serious complications resulting from chickenpox infection. These serious complications include bleeding problems, infection of the brain, which is also called encephalitis, and viral pneumonia. Bacterial infections are also complications that can result from chickenpox. The sites that are associated with these bacterial infections are the lungs, bones, blood, joints, skin and the tissue under the skin.