Chickenpox (Varicella) - When To Call a Doctor

When To Call a Doctor

Call your health professional immediately if you or your child with chickenpox develops:

• A severe headache or constant vomiting, sensitivity to bright light, or unusual sleepiness or confusion. These may be signs of inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).
• Problems breathing or persistent coughing. These may be signs of varicella pneumonia.
• Red, warm, and sore skin, or if the chickenpox rash changes to bigger open sores. These may be signs of serious skin infection.

Call your health professional if you or your child with chickenpox has any of the following:

• A fever of more than 102° (38.9°) that lasts longer than 2 days
• Severe itching that cannot be relieved by home treatment
• Chickenpox rash on the eyeball
• A rash that lasts longer than 2 weeks

Teens, adults—especially pregnant women—and people with impaired immune systems always need to call a health professional if they have been in contact with someone who has chickenpox and are not sure if they have had chickenpox.

If you or your child has chickenpox, call your health professional before you go into the office to make an appointment and to discuss whether you should take any precautions when you arrive to avoid spreading the infection. For example, office staff may take you directly to an examination room upon your arrival rather than have you wait in the lobby.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your health professional observe your symptoms or condition without using medical treatment. If you know that you or your child has been in contact with someone who has chickenpox, watch for the first symptoms (such as fever, feeling sick, decreased appetite, headache, cough, and sore throat). These symptoms usually appear between 14 and 16 days after contact with the infected person.

Who To See

The following health professionals can diagnose and treat chickenpox:

• Family medicine physician
• Pediatrician
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant

If severe complications develop, you may be referred to a specialist. For example, you may see a pulmonologist for lung problems. However, most healthy children and adults do not develop serious complications from chickenpox.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment