What should you know about monkey pox varicella?

Chickenpox often progresses from spots to fluid-filled blisters and then scabs, with lesions appearing at different stages. It spreads through close contact and respiratory secretions. A later reactivation of the same virus causes shingles, which usually follows a more localised painful band rather than a widespread chickenpox pattern. Read about [Chickenpox](/conditions/chickenpox/), [Shingles](/conditions/shingles/), [Fever](/symptoms/fever/), and [Skin Blisters](/symptoms/skin-blisters/).

The appearance alone cannot confirm the diagnosis. Age, vaccination history, exposure, pregnancy, immune health, and the distribution of spots all affect the assessment.

Call a healthcare service before attending in person if chickenpox is possible, so infection-control advice can be arranged. Avoid close contact with pregnant people, newborns, and people with weakened immunity until a clinician advises that the infectious period has ended. Keep nails short, avoid scratching, drink fluids, and ask about suitable itch relief. A [GP Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/gp-consultation/) may clarify whether [Antiviral Treatment](/treatments/medical-dermatology/antiviral-therapy/) or [Antihistamine Treatment](/treatments/medical-dermatology/oral-antihistamine-therapy/) is appropriate.

Seek urgent medical advice for breathing difficulty, confusion, severe headache, stiff neck, repeated vomiting, dehydration, eye involvement, or rapidly worsening skin redness and pain. Contact a clinician promptly if the person is pregnant, very young, immunocompromised, or has a high-risk medical condition. Do not scratch or break the blisters.

Ask whether the rash fits chickenpox or another infection, how long to avoid contact, which medicines are safe, and whether household contacts need advice about [Chickenpox Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/chickenpox-vaccination/).