Chickenpox and Shingles
What are Chickenpox and Shingles?
Chickenpox
Chickenpox (varicella) is a contagious viral illness that causes an itchy rash and fever. Chickenpox is most common in children, though unvaccinated adults can get chickenpox too and may become sicker.
What Are the Symptoms of Chickenpox?
Common symptoms include:
- Fever, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite
- A red, itchy rash that turns into many fluid-filled blisters and then crusts over
The rash can appear all over the body and may include the scalp, face, and torso. Rarely, in people with weak immune systems, chickenpox may not cause a rash and still cause severe illness.
In infants, pregnant people, and people with weak immune systems, chickenpox can lead to pneumonia, skin infections, and hospitalization. These infections can be serious and sometimes fatal.
What Causes Chickenpox?
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It spreads through close contact, touching fluid from blisters, or breathing in virus particles from a person with chickenpox.
Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Shingles is a painful rash that develops when the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox) reactivates later in life. Anyone who has been exposed to the virus, including people how had chickenpox or were vaccinated, can get shingles.
What Are the Symptoms of Shingles?
Common symptoms include:
- Pain, burning, tingling, or sensitivity in one area of the body
- A rash of fluid-filled blisters that typically appears on one side of the torso or face
- Fever, headache, and fatigue
Shingles can be very painful and sometimes lead to long-lasting nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia). In some cases, the pain may be present before a rash or even without an obvious rash.
Shingles may also happen in more than one area of the body, where it behaves more like chickenpox, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
What Causes Shingles?
Shingles is caused by reactivation of the dormant varicella-zoster virus from a previous chickenpox infection.
If shingles blisters are open, the virus can spread to people who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine, causing chickenpox in those people.
The risk of developing shingles is higher for older adults (especially 50 +) and people with weakened immune systems.
UR Medicine's Treatments for Chickenpox and Shingles
Chickenpox
Vaccination with the varicella vaccine (given in two doses) is the best way to prevent chickenpox. It is recommended for all children and adults.
People who cannot get the vaccine and are exposed to chickenpox may receive varicella-zoster immune globulin (VariZIG) to reduce the severity of symptoms.
Shingles
The Shingrix vaccine is recommended for older adults (typically those 50 or older or with certain health conditions) to prevent shingles and complications.
Antiviral medications can lessen the severity and duration of shingles if started early.
What Sets Us Apart?
University of Rochester Medicine physicians, nurses, and therapists specialize in treating a wide range of infectious diseases, including measles, chickenpox, and shingles. Our experts offer convenient, comprehensive treatment for children and adults.
World-class researchers staff our Infectious Diseases Research Clinic, where our National Institutes of Health (NIH)-designated UR Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit (VTEU) conducts clinical trials of new vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics.