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At the end of a cold winter's day, you prepare to bathe your preschooler when you notice small bug bites on his stomach. The next morning, the few bug bites have now become several. You realize that this is not a case of bug bites, but a case of a rash, rapidly spreading across your child's body.
"Is this chicken pox?"

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) is one of eight herpes viruses known to infect humans. It commonly causes the disease Varicella, more commonly referred to as the chicken pox. Chicken pox start with a few red spots or bumps that begin to spread. In around 24 hours, bumps will turn into blisters and 3 or 4 days later those blisters will crust over. Fever is very common and can last for 5 days. The blisters can itch severely.

When seeking a diagnosis for Varicella, avoid taking your child to the doctor on the first day you discover the rash. According to Dr. Sears, it is nearly impossible to diagnose chicken pox on day 1, and still difficult to know for certain on day 2. If you suspect chicken pox, quarantine your child until day 3. If spots progress in the typical Varicella order ( 1. bump 2. blister 3. crust ), then you likely do not need a doctor to confirm it.

When does chicken pox require a doctor's visit?
- If an infant is 2 months or younger.
- If you have a weakened immune system.
- A mother, less than 3 days after giving birth, breaks out in chicken pox.
- Fever lasts more than 5 days.
- You develop a moderate to severe cough.
- If you develop severe headaches.
- If spots appear on eyelids.
- If you are pregnant and have never had the illness or the vaccine.

Though chicken pox is seen by many as a right of passage, there are cases that can turn quite serious. One circumstance in which chicken pox is especially dangerous is when contracted by a pregnant woman.

According to the March of Dimes chickenpox in pregnancy can cause congenital varicella syndrome, a group of birth defects that can include:
- Scars
- Defects of muscle and bone
- Malformed and paralyzed limbs
- A smaller-than-normal head
- Blindness
- Seizures
- Mental retardation

Thankfully, this syndrome only affects about 1 to 2 percent of babies whose mothers were infected with chickenpox during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. If a woman finds out she is not immune to chicken pox (by a blood test), and is then exposed to the virus, she can be treated with VariZIG within 96 hours after exposure. This can prevent the illness or lessen the severity.

Adults are also at higher risk after contracting

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