Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus. It is spread by touching chickenpox blisters or by breathing in droplets in the air, from the coughs and sneezes of people with the virus. If you have already had chickenpox you can 't get it again, but you can get shingles if the virus - which remains inactive in your body - is reactivated (see below).
Symptoms of chickenpox in adults are a high temperature, aches and pains, and a headache a day or so before the rash appears. A spotty rash develops on the body, and the spots turn into small itchy blisters. You will feel quite unwell, with a temperature, a dry cough, a sore throat and may feel sick for several days.
The incubation period (time between catching the disease and showing symptoms) is 10-21 days. You 're infectious from about two days before the rash appears until about five days after it appears.
Most pregnant women who catch chickenpox when pregnant are fine but some may need to see their GP and be referred to hospital. This is especially the case in the later stages of pregnancy, or if the woman has any breathing difficulties or bleeding.
Risk to the baby:
If you catch chickenpox in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy there is a very small chance (about 1%) that the baby will catch it and develop congenital varicella syndrome. This can cause eye problems, underdeveloped limbs and brain damage.
If you catch chickenpox in weeks 13-20 of pregnancy there is a very small chance (about 2%) that the baby will catch congenital varicella syndrome (see above).
If you catch chickenpox after 20 weeks but before 36 weeks of pregnancy there is no increased risk of passing the infection to the baby. But the baby may get shingles after they are born or in later life.
If you catch chickenpox after 36 weeks of pregnancy your baby may get chickenpox in the womb and you might need to have injections of varicella zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) or antiviral drugs.
If you catch chickenpox up to 5 days before or up to 2 days after your baby is born there is a 20% risk of your baby getting chickenpox and this can be quite serious. Your baby will be given an injection of VZIG. This does not prevent them getting chickenpox but it may reduce the risk of serious complications. If your baby is born with chickenpox he or she may also be given an injection of aciclovir, an antiviral drug that will help them get better quicker.
If you 're pregnant and you 've been in contact with chickenpox, and you 're not sure if you had it when you were a child, contact your GP immediately, and avoid contact with other pregnant women and newborn babies. Your GP will arrange for you to have a test for antibodies. If you haven 't got any chickenpox antibodies you may be given injections (zoster immunoglobulin) to try to stop the chickenpox developing. This is most effective within 4 days of coming into contact with chickenpox, but can be used up to 10 days after contact.
Women planning to get pregnant can visit their GP for a test to see if they are already immune to chickenpox - if not there is a vaccine available.
Shingles.
Shingles usually lasts for 2-4 weeks. It starts with a tingling sensation and pain in the area affected - this can vary from person to person but it tends to follow the nerve lines such as the face or around the waist. You may have a fever and feel unwell. After about five days a rash appears on one side of the body, often over the ribs. The rash starts as blisters and after about three days they turn yellowish, then crust over.
If you come into contact with someone with shingles, you cannot catch shingles from them, but you can catch chickenpox from them if you 've never had it.
Shingles is not transmitted through the air (from coughs and sneezes) like chickenpox is. It can only be caught from contact with the rash. This is why the rash, which is usually on the body, should be kept covered.
If you get shingles while you are pregnant there 's no risk of complications to your baby. This is because you are already immune to chickenpox.
If you get chickenpox while you are pregnant there is a risk to your baby (see above).
If you are pregnant and know you are not immune to chickenpox (because you didn 't have it as a child) it is very important to avoid anyone with chickenpox or shingles. If you do come into contact with anyone with chickenpox or shingles see your GP immediately.
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