Chickenpox, or the varicella-zoster virus, is a very common illness that usually occurs in children but can occur in anyone of any age. Most people who receive a vaccination for it will not get the chicken pox but if a person was not vaccinated it is probable that they will get the chicken pox virus sometime during their life. Unfortunately, it is better to catch the chicken pox as a child as getting them as an adult can cause bigger complications such as shingles which also can occur if the chicken pox virus becomes active for a second time. Once someone has caught the virus it is rare that they will ever have it again.
Chicken pox has a very notable symptom of causing an itchy rash with red spots to appear all over the body. New spots will continue to appear on the body for about 5 days after the first outbreak. Other common symptoms are a fever, sore throat, headache, and feeling tired and sick-like similar to the flu. The virus lasts just over ten days, with the tenth day usually being the day where all the spots are dried and crusted which means the person is no longer contagious.
Since the chicken pox are a virus it spreads very easily through coughs, drinks, and sneezes. Close contact will almost guarantee spread of the chicken pox to anyone who has not yet had the virus. A person can be contagious even if they do not have the red spots, or blisters, from the virus yet. Although it spreads extremely easily it takes about 15 days after the contact with the infected person for symptoms to start showing.
It is not common for those infected with the virus to see a doctor as the illness is so common. It may be necessary to seek medical treatment though if complications arise, or if the infected person is extremely young, pregnant, or has a weak immune system.