How to Diagnose Chicken Pox

Chickenpox is caused by the highly communicable varicella-zoster virus. Children under 12 are the most likely to catch chickenpox, but the disease is usually harmless and passes on its own without treatment. In some cases however, particularly in adults, newborns, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems, chickenpox can lead to more serious illness. A person with chickenpox should be kept away from other people to avoid infecting them, so it's important to recognize the symptoms.

Things You'll Need

• Thermometer

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Instructions

• 1

  Determine if you have had contact with someone with chickenpox within the last two weeks. Chickenpox is highly contagious to people who aren't immune. People who have never had chickenpox or who have never been vaccinated are most at risk for catching chickenpox, and the disease is contagious before the rash appears so early diagnosis is important.

• 2

  Watch for flu-like symptoms. Chickenpox often starts with a fever, headache and malaise. The first blisters usually appear after the person has been feeling ill for a day or two, and a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 102 degrees Fahrenheit can last for several days.

• 3

  Examine the rash. The first chickenpox blisters usually appear on the stomach, face, or back. They start as tiny red bumps that spread quickly and are quite itchy. The bumps fill with a clear fluid, then burst and crust over. The blisters can spread to anywhere on the body, including the ears, eyes and genital area. New blisters continue to appear for several days.

• 4

  Call your doctor if chickenpox blisters appear in the eyes or if any blisters become infected, as these may need additional treatment. A fever over 103 degrees Fahrenheit, coughing, a stiff neck, dizziness, or vomiting could also indicate developing complications. In rare cases, chickenpox can lead to pneumonia, hepatitis or encephalitis.