Chickenpox Information for Healthcare Providers

Chickenpox Case Classifications

Effective 1/1/2024

Confirmed:

• Meets clinical evidence AND confirmatory laboratory evidence,

OR

• Meets clinical evidence with a generalized rash with vesicles AND confirmatory epidemiologic linkage evidence.

Probable:

• Meets clinical evidence with a generalized rash with vesicles,

OR

• Meets clinical evidence with a generalized rash without vesicles AND:

• Confirmatory or presumptive epidemiologic linkage evidence, OR

• Supportive laboratory evidence.

OR

• Meets healthcare record criteria AND:

• Confirmatory or presumptive epidemiologic linkage evidence, OR

• Confirmatory or supportive laboratory evidence.

Reporting

• All individual cases of chickenpox should be reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Find out more about what needs to be reported, who needs to report diseases, and how to report at the following link: Reporting Chickenpox
• In response to a chickenpox report, case investigators collect information to learn more about who gets chickenpox in Georgia and to provide individualized public health recommendations. Information collected about reports is included on the GDPH Varicella Case Report Form.

Signs and Symptoms

Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a very contagious rash illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).  This virus stays dormant in the body can reactivate later in life to cause shingles (herpes zoster).

Symptoms include a fever and an itchy rash that starts on the torso and face and then spreads all over the body. The rash has fluid-filled blisters that last for 3 to 7 days before they scab. Other symptoms include itchiness and fever. Some people might not feel well one to two days before the rash appears.

Chickenpox spreads by touching someone with the rash or through the air. It can also spread by touching clothing or blankets that someone with chickenpox has used.

Chickenpox is usually mild but complications can occur. Young infants, people with suppressed immune systems, and people who are pregnant are at risk for severe illness. Complications of can include secondary bacterial skin infections, pneumonia, infection spreading to the nervous system (ex: encephalitis), and bleeding complications.

Treatment

Treatment for chickenpox can include medications to reduce symptoms (ex: fever-reducing medications or anti-itch lotions). Sometimes, doctors prescribe antiviral medications to people with chickenpox. These medications can reduce the length and severity of illness if given within 24 hours of rash onset.

Laboratory Testing

• Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) PCR testing on vesicular fluid or a whole scab is considered the gold standard for chickenpox (varicella) or shingles confirmation
• Call your district or county health department for help submitting specimens to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) for testing.
  • Varicella Specimen Collection and Submission Guidelinehttps://dph.georgia.gov/document/document/varicella-specimen-collection-and-submission-guidelines/downloads    

Prevention

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent chickenpox. Children should get one chickenpox vaccination when they are 12 months old and another when they are four years old. Healthy people 13 years and older who have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated should get two doses of the chickenpox vaccine four to eight weeks apart. More information about chickenpox vaccines can be found below. 

• The Chickenpox Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) includes a description of the disease, who should get the vaccine and when, who should not be vaccinated, and potential side effects. Find a copy of the VIS on CDC's website: https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/vaccination.html.
  • Visit the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) website to find a copy of the Chickenpox VIS in a language other than English: http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_chickenpox.asp
• A shingles vaccine is also available to help prevent shingles (herpes zoster), visit the CDC webpage on shingles vaccination to learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/vaccination.html

Resources

The following resources might be helpful references during a chickenpox case or outbreak investigation. Contact your local health district for individualized and up-to-date recommendations.

• Chickenpox Information for Families : Webpage with frequently asked questions about how to recognize, manage, and prevent chickenpox.
• Chickenpox (Varicella) Questions and Answers  : Fact sheet for parents of children in childcare and school who have questions about chickenpox. 
• CDC Chickenpox Webpage: General information from the CDC about chickenpox, including transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Also includes photos and kid-friendly fact sheet 
• CDC Shingles/Herpes Zoster Webpage: General information from the CDC about shingles/herpes zoster.
• Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Disease: Chickenpox chapter in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC’s) Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases.

 Page last updated 3/12/2024