Chicken pox is caused by the varicella zoster virus. It is a mild and common childhood illness that most children catch at some point. Some children have only a few spots, but other children can have spots that cover their entire body. These are most likely to appear on the face, ears and scalp, under the arms, on the chest and belly and on the arms and legs.

It causes a rash of red, itchy spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters. They then crust over to form scabs, which eventually drop off.

Symptoms

Chicken pox spots normally appear in clusters and tend to be:

  • Behind the ears
  • On the face and over the scalp
  • On the chest and belly
  • On the arms and legs

Before the rash appears, you or your child may have some mild flu-like symptoms, including:

  • Nausea, or feeling sick
  • A high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or over
  • Painful, aching muscles
  • Headache

Prevention

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent chicken pox. Currently, 2 doses of vaccine are recommended for children, adolescents, and adults.

While no vaccine is 100% effective in preventing disease, the chickenpox vaccine is very effective. About 8 to 9 out of every 10 people who are vaccinated are completely protected from chicken pox.

In addition, the vaccine almost always prevents severe disease. If a vaccinated person does get chicken pox, it is usually a very mild case lasting only a few days and involving fewer skin blisters (usually less than 50), mild or no fever, and few other symptoms.

Women should have a blood test to check if they are immune to chickenpox, before their first pregnancy.

Have a look at our price list for more information about the other tests which are available.

Incubation

The incubation period is 7 to 21 (usually 10 to 21) days after exposure to the varicella zoster virus to the development of the symptoms. The disease is most contagious a day or two before the rash appears and until the rash is completely dry and scabbed over (about 5 to 6 days after onset of illness).

Dosage schedule

Two vaccinations are administered with an 8 week gap between doses.

Price

Each dose costs £75