Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
For a full list of topics: A-Z Index
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
Chickenpox (Varicella)
    CDC Home
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Syndicate

    Chickenpox (Varicella)

    Minus
    Related Pages
    Father sitting with sick son

    Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It can cause an itchy, blister-like rash. The rash appears first on the chest, back, and face, and then spreads over the entire body.

    More
    Chickenpox Fact Sheet for Parents

    A fact sheet for parents that describes symptoms of infection as well as benefits and risks of vaccination.

    diagnoses icon
    About Chickenpox

    Signs and symptoms, complications, transmission, prevention and treatment, and photos

    syringe icon
    Vaccination

    Information about chickenpox vaccine, who should be vaccinated, vaccination options, and vaccine safety

    medical icon
    For Healthcare Professionals

    Information about clinical features, complications, and assessing immunity to varicella

    lab icon
    Laboratory Testing

    Guidelines for collecting and shipping specimens to CDC lab and interpretation of laboratory tests

    medical icon
    For Health Departments

    Information about chickenpox case and outbreak surveillance, investigation, and control

    book icon
    References and Resources

    Scientific articles, resources, and educational resources related to chickenpox

    device icon
    Multimedia

    Educational materials, such as videos and infographics, about chickenpox

    Varicela: Lo que debe saber
    • Información sobre la varicella
    • Signos y síntomas
    • Complicaciones
    • Transmisión
    • Prevención y tratamiento
    • Vacunación
    • Hoja informativa sobre la vacuna contra la varicela
      In English | Other languagesexternal icon
    • Vacunas e inmunización
    Page last reviewed: December 31, 2018
    Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases
    home Chickenpox Home
    • About Chickenpox expand
      • Signs and Symptoms
      • Complications
      • Transmission
      • Prevention and Treatment
      • Photos
    • Vaccination
    • For Healthcare Professionals
    • Laboratory Testing for VZV expand
      • Collecting Specimen for VZV Testing
      • Interpreting Laboratory Tests
      • CDC National VZV Laboratory
    • For Health Departments expand
      • Reporting and Surveillance
      • Outbreak Identification, Investigation, and Control
    • References & Resources
    • Multimedia
    HAVE QUESTIONS?
    Visit CDC-INFO
    Call 800-232-4636
    Email CDC-INFO
    Open 24/7
    CDC INFORMATION
    • About CDC
    • Jobs
    • Funding
    • Policies
    • File Viewers & Players
    • Privacy
    • FOIA
    • No Fear Act
    • OIG
    • Nondiscrimination
    • Accessibility
    CONNECT WITH CDC
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Snapchat

    • Youtube
    • Syndicate
    • CDC TV
    • RSS
    • Email
    U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
    USA.gov
    CDC Website Exit Disclaimer external icon
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    SAS stats

    Exit Notification/Disclaimer Policy

    Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.
    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
    • Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
    • You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
    • CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.
    For more information on CDC's web notification policies, see Website Disclaimers.