• Shingles and Chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster Virus) - Symptoms
• Highlights
• Introduction
• Complications
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Vaccination

Risk Factors

Risk Factors for Chickenpox (Varicella)

Between 75 - 90% of chickenpox cases occur in children under 10 years of age. Before the introduction of the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine, about 4 million cases of chickenpox were reported in the U.S. each year. Since a varicella vaccine became available in the U.S. in 1995, the incidence of disease and hospitalizations due to chickenpox has declined by nearly 90%.

Chickenpox usually occurs in late winter and early spring months. It can also...