The varicella virus is incredibly contagious, being an airborne virus and easily spread. It is also contagious through physical contact with the fluid that the chickenpox blisters are filled with. The most common methods of spreading include sneezing, coughing, and contact with pox blisters. A person first becomes contagious up to two days before initially breaking out with chicken pox blisters. Typically the blisters occur somewhere between 10-21 days after initial exposure and infection. The virus remains highly spreadable and contagious through both airborne and physical contact methods as long as the un-crusted blisters remain on the body.

This disease is so highly contagious that when exposed to the varicella virus, over 90% of non-immune people will become infected. Once a person has been infected by this virus, it lays dormant in the body for the remainder of the individual’s life. Due to the anti-bodies created by the infected individual while their body worked to fight the virus, it is highly unlikely to ever have more than one outbreak of chicken pox by the same person. However, it is reported that 1 in 10 adults who suffered chickenpox as children will also suffer from shingles as an adult. There is a different, separate vaccination available for adults who are at high risk of suffering shingles due to their early exposure to chickenpox. It is thought that taking this vaccine makes it less likely that the adult will develop herpes zoster (shingles) after this vaccination.

Without the varicella-zoster vaccine, it is incredibly hard to prevent the spread of chickenpox. There are certain factors that can increase one’s risk of exposure to the virus. Working in or attending a daycare facility, working in or attending a school facility, having contact with an infected person- even before the tell-tale formation of blisters have occurred and not getting the varicella-zoster immunization. Children are themselves much more likely to be exposed and infected as well, due mainly to the close proximity to other children that they spend the majority around through school, daycare, and other social activities.

There are several ways that you can help to reduce your risks and chances of infection. Always washing your hands after caring for someone who is infected, and good hand washing practices in general may help. Avoiding close contact with infected people is vital, although because the virus becomes contagious even before the blisters form this can be hard to do. The best practice to avoid the spread of chicken pox is through receiving the safe vaccine to prevent it. The only known cause of chicken pox is through contagious spreading of the varicella-zoster virus.