Chicken Pox (varicella) Vaccine

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by infection with the varicella zoster virus, which causes fever and an itchy rash. The rash typically consists of between 200 and 500 blister-like lesions covering the body that are usually concentrated on the face, scalp, and trunk. Chickenpox can be spread from an infected person who sneezes, coughs, or shares food or drink, even before the infected person has any symptoms. Adolescents and adults who contract chickenpox are more at risk for severe symptoms than are children. Most people will get chickenpox at some point in their lives unless they have gotten the varicella vaccine.