This is a highly contagious exanthematous illness caused by the Varicella Zoster virus (herpes group)

Clinical features

• The incubation period is approx 15 days
• This starts with mild fever and constitutional features like body ache, runny nose

Skin features

• Centripetal distribution ( more over the chest/ back)
• Lesions occur as crops and appear simultaneously
• Lesions presents papules/ vesicles/ crusting
• Lesions can be itchy and painful
• The lesions erupt for about 5-7 days

Remember

• Chickenpox is contagious about 2 days before onset of rash until crusting of them.
• Never give salicylates in chickenpox as they can develop Reye’s syndrome

Lab tests

• Tzanck tests- the ruptures vesicles are fixed on a slide and stained to look for multinucleated giant cells
• Virus culture

Treatment

• Acyclovir is prescribed if nervous involvement, immunocompromised
• Itching can be treated with oral or intravenous antihistamine

Prevention

• Vaccination- 12 months of age onwards
• Passive immunity- immunoglobulin in immunocompromised, neonates whose mother developed varicella 5 days or less before birth