When to get medical advice

Chickenpox is normally mild and gets better on its own. But some people can become more seriously ill and need to see a doctor.

It's a good idea to contact your GP or NHS 111 for advice if:

• you're not sure if you or your child has chickenpox
• your baby is less than four weeks old and has chickenpox
• you develop chickenpox as an adult
• the symptoms haven't started to improve after six days
• you've been in contact with someone who has chickenpox (or you have symptoms) and you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system
• you or your child has signs of chickenpox complications, such as swollen and painful skin, difficulty breathing or dehydration
• Also consider getting advice if you're originally from a country near the equator (the tropics) and you've been in close contact with someone who has chickenpox.
  Chickenpox is much more common in adults from these areas and you may need treatment to help stop you becoming seriously ill.

  How you catch chickenpox

  Chickenpox is caused by a virus that spreads very easily to people who haven't had it before. If you have had it before, you'll usually be immune for life.
  The infection is spread in the fluid found in chickenpox blisters and the droplets in the coughs or sneezes of someone with the infection.
  You can catch chickenpox from:
  • contaminated surfaces
  • contaminated objects, such as toys or bedding
  • touching chickenpox blisters or the shingles rash
  • face-to-face contact with an infected person, such as having a conversation
  • being in the same room as an infected person for 15 minutes or more
  Someone with chickenpox is infectious from one or two days before the rash appears until all the blisters have dried out and crusted over.