Varicella (Chickenpox)
Chickenpox is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Chickenpox is well-known as a disease that causes an itchy, blister-like rash that is accompanied by a fever. The virus is very contagious.
Shingles, also known as zoster, is a painful rash illness caused by the same virus. Shingles occurs when the virus reactivates in a person after they have already had chickenpox. Shingles is not a reportable disease in North Carolina, and cases are not tracked by the health department.
Read more about which diseases are reportable in North Carolina.
Signs and symptoms
The classic sign of chickenpox is a rash that turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters which eventually become scabs.
Early symptoms including fever, tiredness, loss of appetite and headache may appear one to two days before the rash.
The rash may first appear on the chest, back and face. The rash can then spread over the entire body, including inside the mouth, eyelids or genital area. It usually takes about one week for all blisters to become scabs.
How it spreads
The virus is very contagious and spreads through coughing, sneezing and close contact with skin lesions.
People with varicella are contagious for one to two days before the rash appears. They remain contagious until all skin lesions are crusted over. This usually takes about four to six days. People with varicella should stay home from work or school. They can return once all skin lesions are crusted over.
Prevention
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent chickenpox. People who are not vaccinated are more likely to get varicella and have complications than people who are vaccinated. Sometimes vaccinated people can still get the disease. But it's usually milder, lasts a shorter time and has fewer than 50 lesions.
Most people who had chickenpox don't need the vaccine. Getting chickenpox gives lifelong immunity.
More information: About Chickenpox (CDC)
Data and Reports
Before the vaccine was developed, varicella was a common childhood illness. The varicella vaccination program began in 1995. It has been very successful. Annual cases in the United States have dropped by about 96%. Chickenpox is now less common in the United States. However, outbreaks can still happen in child care and school settings. Outbreaks are usually smaller and shorter now than those before the vaccine.
This page was last modified on 06/18/2026