CHICKEN POX BACKGROUND ? Caused by Varicella-zoster virus ? Mostly affects children, although you can get it at any age. " Gets better by itself within a week without needing to see a GP · Red spot- itchy . Other symptoms, before or after spots: a high temperature above 38ºC, aches and pains, and generally feeling unwell, loss of appetite " It's possible to get chicken pox more than once but it's unusual " You can catch chickenpox by being in the same room as someone with it. " It's also spread by touching clothes or bedding that has fluid from the blisters on it. " Chickenpox is infectious from 2 days before the spots appear to until they have crusted over, usually 5 days after they first appeared. " It takes 1 to 3 weeks from the time you were exposed to chickenpox for the spots to start appearing. You cannot catch shingles from someone with chickenpox. " You can catch chickenpox from someone with shingles if you have not had chickenpox before. " When you get chickenpox, the virus stays in your body. It can be triggered again if your immune system is low and cause shingles. " This can be because of stress, certain conditions, or treatments like chemotherapy. TREATMENT ? drink plenty of fluid (try ice lollies if your child is not drinking) to avoid dehydration " take paracetamol to help with pain and discomfort " put socks on your child's hands at night to stop scratching · cut your child's nails " use cooling creams or gels from your pharmacy ? speak to your pharmacist about using antihistamine medicine to help itching ? bathe in cool water and pat the skin dry (do not rub) " dress in loose clothes " check with your airline if you're going on holiday - many airlines will not allow you to fly with chickenpox " do not use ibuprofen unless advised to do so by your doctor, as it may cause serious skin infections " do not give aspirin to children under 16 " do not be around pregnant women, new born babies and people with a weakened immune system, as it can be dangerous for them REFERRAL ? you're not sure it's chickenpox " the skin around the blisters is red, hot or painful (signs of infection) ? your child is dehydrated " you're concerned about your child or they get worse " you're an adult and have chickenpox 1. Chickenpox starts with red spots. They can appear anywhere on the body. 2. The spots fill with fluid. The blisters may burst. They might spread or stay in a small area. 3. The spots scab over. More blisters might appear while others scab over. ? you have a weakened immune system and have been near someone with chickenpox ? you think your new born baby has chickenpox ? you're pregnant and have not had chickenpox before and have been near someone with it- It's rare to get