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Chickenpox Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, April 2009.

Answers to questions about chickenpox

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

If I have chickenpox, when am I most infectious?

You're most infectious one or two days before the rash first appears. However, you remain infectious until the blisters crust over, which usually takes about five to six days, and you should stay away from school or work during this time.

Explanation

The virus that causes chickenpox, varicella zoster, can be spread by the fine spray of saliva or mucous droplets when you cough or sneeze, and through contact with the fluid in the blisters.

Chickenpox is spread very easily; about nine out of 10 people who come into contact with someone carrying the virus will catch it if they haven't already had it.

It takes between one and three weeks after exposure to the virus to develop chicken pox. This is called the incubation period.

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Can I develop shingles after being exposed to someone with chickenpox?

No. However, the opposite is true. If you haven't already had it, it's possible to catch chickenpox by coming into contact with someone who has shingles.

Explanation

Even after your chickenpox infection clears, the virus that causes it, varicella zoster, remains in the nerves in your body.

Many years or even decades later, varicella zoster can reactivate, causing shingles. Shingles results in a very painful rash that usually only develops on one side of the body and in one area.

The fluid in the blisters of people with shingles contain the varicella zoster virus. So if you come into contact with this fluid you can catch the virus if you haven't already had chickenpox.

In people with shingles the virus isn't spread by coughing or sneezing so it isn't as contagious as chickenpox.

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Can I or my child fly when I have chickenpox?

No. If you have chickenpox air travel isn't allowed, as you risk spreading it to other passengers. You must wait for about six days or until the last blister has burst and crusted over before you fly. You should also check airline policy and let your insurer know.

Explanation

Because chickenpox can be spread through the fine spray of droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing, travelling in a contained area such as an aeroplane puts other passengers at high risk of catching the virus.

This is particularly important if a mother-to-be catches the virus as, depending on how long she has been pregnant, chickenpox can affect the development of the unborn child.

If you're pregnant and have come into contact with anyone with chickenpox, or you think you have developed it, see your GP.

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I have chickenpox. Is there anyone I should avoid, and for how long?

Yes. If you have chickenpox, there are certain people you should avoid while infectious. You're infectious about one or two days before infection, up to when the blisters scab over, which is usually five or six days later.

You should avoid:

  • people who have a weakened immune system
  • women who are pregnant
  • babies younger than a month

Explanation

Chickenpox can affect the development of an unborn baby, so it's important to avoid pregnant women who haven't had it before.

People with weakened immune systems, or babies, are more likely to develop complications from chickenpox.

Because of these risks it is best not to be in public when you have chickenpox, and to tell people that you will come into contact with that you have it so they can let you know if it is an issue.

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: April 2009

 

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