What should you know about phases of chickenpox?

Early chickenpox can cause fever, tiredness, reduced appetite, or headache before the rash is obvious. The rash then appears as itchy red spots, often beginning on the trunk or face. Spots can become small fluid-filled blisters and later dry into scabs. New spots may appear while older ones are already crusting, so the rash may show several stages together.

A person can spread Chickenpox from before the rash appears until every blister has crusted. Shingles is a different reactivation of the same virus and does not represent the usual next phase of a chickenpox rash.

Keep nails short, avoid scratching, and use loose clothing to reduce skin injury. A clinician or pharmacist can advise on an Oral Antihistamine Treatment for itch. Antiviral Treatment may be considered for some people, particularly when started early or when complications are a concern.

Stay away from pregnant people, newborns, and people with weakened immunity until a clinician confirms that exposure is safe. Do not give aspirin to a child with chickenpox. Ask about Chickenpox Vaccination for prevention or after a relevant exposure.

Arrange a GP Consultation if the diagnosis is uncertain, the person is pregnant, an infant is affected, or immunity is weakened. Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, severe drowsiness, dehydration, repeated vomiting, severe headache, or skin that becomes increasingly painful, hot, swollen, or oozing.

Ask when the person can return to school or work, which itch treatments are suitable, whether antiviral medicine is appropriate, and how to protect vulnerable household contacts. Ask which signs suggest a bacterial infection rather than uncomplicated healing.