Conditions
Chickenpox: symptoms, contagion and video visits in Puerto Rico
Chickenpox is a very contagious viral infection that causes an itchy rash of small blisters that later scab over, often with fever and tiredness. It usually lasts 4 to 7 days and is contagious from 1 to 2 days before the rash until every blister has crusted. The doctor evaluates you by video and tells you how to care for it at home.
Is it an emergency? Call 911.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Trouble breathing or a severe cough
- A stiff neck
- Confusion, or very sleepy and hard to wake
- A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher
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At a glance
Chickenpox
Common symptoms
- An itchy rash, first on the chest, back and face
- Small fluid-filled blisters that later scab over
- Fever
- Tiredness and poor appetite
- Headache
- Other names
- Varicella
- Treatment
- Home care for itching and acetaminophen for fever; an antiviral for people at higher risk, only when the medical evaluation calls for it
- Possible complication
- Skin infections, pneumonia or inflammation of the brain
On this page(9)
What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It spreads through close contact with a sick person and is very contagious: up to 9 in 10 people who are unvaccinated and have never had it catch it after close contact. The rash appears 10 to 21 days after exposure.
In children it is usually mild, but babies, teenagers, adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immunity are at higher risk of complications. Vaccinated people who catch it usually have a milder illness, with few blisters or just red spots. After chickenpox the virus stays in the body and years later can cause shingles.
How we care for chickenpox by video
You see Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, a Puerto Rico–licensed general practice physician with several years of emergency-department experience, in English or Spanish. She sees adults and children of all ages. By video, the doctor looks at the rash in good light and asks when it started, whether there is fever and whether anyone at home is pregnant, a baby or has weakened immunity.
A lab test is rarely needed: chickenpox is recognized by its rash. For people at higher risk, such as anyone over 12, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity or chronic skin or lung disease, an antiviral works best when started early, ideally within the first 24 hours of the rash. So if you are in one of those groups, get seen promptly. If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy.
Patients under 21 need a parent or legal guardian on camera for the whole visit, with ID. See our online doctor for kids.
Your doctor
Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD
General practice physician
Several years of emergency-department experience.
Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative.
Your visit in 3 steps
Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text. A video visit means you do not have to leave home or expose anyone in a waiting room.
Request your visit.
Book a visit and choose "Doctor visit". You pay by card when you request it.
See the doctor by video.
We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer. Find a spot with good light.
Get your plan.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. A doctor’s note for school or work is included.
What a chickenpox visit costs
Chickenpox is handled in a US$79 doctor visit, the same price for every age, with no membership. You pay by card when you request the visit, and you get a full refund if the visit can’t take place. We do not bill insurance. See all prices.
Chickenpox symptoms
For 1 to 2 days before the rash there may be fever, tiredness, poor appetite and headache. Then come:
- An itchy rash, first on the chest, back and face
- Small fluid-filled blisters that later scab over
- Fever
- Tiredness and poor appetite
- Headache
Chickenpox treatment and home care
- For itching: calamine lotion and cool baths with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal.
- Keep nails short so scratching does not lead to a skin infection.
- For fever, use acetaminophen as the label directs.
- Do not give aspirin to a child with chickenpox: it is linked to Reye’s syndrome, a serious illness. The AAP also advises avoiding ibuprofen, which has been linked to serious skin infections.
Most healthy children recover with this care. Antivirals are for people at higher risk, and only if the doctor thinks they are appropriate.
Contagious period and going back to school
Chickenpox is contagious from 1 to 2 days before the rash until every blister has crusted, which usually takes about a week. During that time stay home: no school, childcare or work, and avoid contact with pregnant women, babies and people with weakened immunity. You can go back once every spot has crusted.
The best prevention is the chickenpox vaccine: according to the CDC, everyone who has never had chickenpox or been vaccinated should get 2 doses. The vaccine is given in person; ask your pharmacy or vaccination site. If your child has a different kind of rash, see rash in children.
When to go to the ER
For your safety, go to the emergency room or call 911 if you see any of these signs. Get medical care soon if the fever lasts more than 4 days or goes above 102 °F (38.9 °C), or if a blister turns red, warm, swollen or full of pus. See when to go to the ER.
- Trouble breathing or a severe cough
- A stiff neck
- Confusion, or very sleepy and hard to wake
- A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher
How we care for you
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
How long is chickenpox contagious?
What should you not give a child with chickenpox?
Is chickenpox worse in adults?
Can you get chickenpox if you were vaccinated?
About this page
Author: The Health Initiative
Medical care provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD (PR license 24027)
Disclosure: Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative
Published: 2026-10-02 · Updated: 2026-10-02
Sources (5)
- Chickenpox (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- About Chickenpox (CDC) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Chickenpox: Signs and Symptoms (CDC) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Chickenpox: Treatment (CDC) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- About Shingles (CDC) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)