Chickenpox is caused by a highly contagious virus called Varicella-Zoster. Transmission through bodily fluids is the most common way to spread the Chickenpox virus. It is easiest to catch the Chickenpox from an infected person that is coughing or sneezing without covering their mouth or nose. Spit and mucus need to be contained to prevent the spread of the virus. Just as important, it is necessary to not share food or drink with someone who has the Chickenpox. Any type of bodily fluid transmission increases the likelihood of spreading the chickenpox.
Even after the rash and blisters have appeared, you can catch the Chickenpox virus by touching the fluid from one of the blisters. Not until the blisters have burst, drained, dried out and crusted over (typically one to three days), are the blisters no longer thought of as contagious. The Chickenpox virus causes fever, fatigue, rashes and blisters all over the body.
Chickenpox has a long incubation period of 14 to 16 days, which can cause unexpected outbreaks. Chickenpox is most contagious during the fevering period, which is approximately two to three days before the rash and blisters appear. Some children do not exhibit the symptom of the fever which makes it even more difficult to control the spread of the virus.
While Chickenpox is typically thought of as a childhood illness, it is still possible for adults to contract the virus. Unless you have been immunized or have had the chickenpox virus before, you are still at risk of catching it. And although very rare, some people can catch the chickenpox virus more than once. The virus stays in the body long after the symptoms have gone away. Sometimes the virus resurfaces and causes an an extremely painful virus called shingles.