Can I get chickenpox from being near a child with red boils?

Question

Hello doctor,

I never had chickenpox as a child, and I wonder how you catch it. I was in the same room as a child with red boils that seemed like crusts for about 45 minutes. Is there a risk?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

Varicella (chickenpox) is an acute infectious disease, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is a herpes virus group. The average incubation period for varicella or chicken pox is 14 to 16 days after exposure to varicella or a herpes zoster rash, with a range of 10 to 21 days. A mild fever and malaise may occur one to two days before rash onset, particularly in adults. In children, the rash is often the first sign of disease.

In unvaccinated (when not yet given chicken pox vaccine), the rash is generalized and pruritic. It progresses rapidly from redness to papular to vesicular lesions before crusting. Lesions typically present in all stages of development at the same time. The rash usually appears first on the chest, back, and face, then spreads over the entire body. The lesions are usually most concentrated on the chest and back. Symptoms typically last four to seven days.

In healthy children, varicella is generally mild, with an itchy rash, malaise, and temperature up to 102°F for two to three days. Infants, adolescents, adults, pregnant women, and immunocompromised people are at risk for more severe disease and have a higher incidence of complications. Recovery from primary varicella infection usually provides immunity for life. The second occurrence of varicella may be more likely to occur in people who are immunocompromised. As with other viral infections, re-exposure to natural (wild-type) varicella may lead to re-infection that boosts antibody titers without causing illness or detectable viremia. After the primary infection, the virus stays in the body (in the sensory nerve ganglia) as a latent infection. Primary infection with varicella-zoster causes varicella. Reactivation of latent infection causes herpes zoster or shingles (cold sores).

In your case, it does not seem to be a chickenpox lesion in the child based on your description. Therefore, you need not worry about contracting chickenpox from the contact you had. However, I would suggest you confirm this with a doctor and consider getting the chickenpox vaccination if you have not been vaccinated.

I hope this information helps you.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The rash usually appears later, after prodromal symptoms and oral sores have appeared. However, in children, the illness may not be preceded by prodromal symptoms, and the initial sign could be a rash or lesions in the oral cavity. The rash begins as small red dots on the face, scalp, torso, upper arms, and legs. Over the next 10 to 12 hours, it progresses to small bumps, blisters, and pustules, and later forms craters and scabs.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.