Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the
herpesvirus family. The same virus also causes herpes zoster,
shingles, in adults. Chickenpox is extremely contagious, and can be
spread by direct contact, droplet transmission, and airborne
transmission. Symptoms range from fever, headache, stomach ache, or
loss of appetite before breaking out in the classic pox rash. The
rash can consist of several hundred small, itchy, fluid-filled
blisters over red spots on the skin. The blisters often appear
first on the face, trunk, or scalp and then spread to other parts
of the body.
Review Date: 12/15/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of
Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
