Chickenpox symptoms usually begin 1-2 days before the appearance of the rash, and include:

• Fever and runny nose.
• Tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell.
• Loss of appetite.
• Headaches and mild aches.

The Rash:

• Begins as small, red, itchy bumps on the chest, back, and face, spreading to the rest of the body.
• Stages of rash progression: 
  1. Red bumps that look like pimples.
  2. Bumps develop into fluid-filled blisters.
  3. Blisters break open and form open sores.
  4. Sores dry out, becoming brown scabs.

The rash can also appear inside the mouth, on the eyelids, or in the genital area. New spots may continue to develop as others blister or scab over, and the blisters typically last for about one week.

Managing chickenpox symptoms at home can ease discomfort:

1. Relieve Itching:
   • Use cool baths with baking soda or oatmeal to reduce itching.
   • Apply calamine lotion to soothe the skin.
   • Cool, wet compresses can help relieve itchiness.
   • Keep nails short to prevent scratching, which can lead to infection and scarring.
   • Wear loose, breathable clothing made of natural fibers.
2. Manage Fever:
   • Give paracetamol (acetaminophen) to reduce fever. Avoid using aspirin, as it may lead to serious complications in children with viral infections.
3. Stay Hydrated:
   • Encourage plenty of fluids, such as water or sugar-free popsicles, which can soothe mouth sores and prevent dehydration.
4. Prevent Spread:
   • Keep the infected child at home until all blisters have crusted over.
   • Avoid contact with at-risk groups, including pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems.
   • Wash hands regularly and practice good hygiene to reduce the spread of the virus.

Seek medical care if your child:

• Has difficulty breathing or experiences chest pain.
• Shows signs of dehydration.
• Develops a high fever that persists despite using paracetamol.
• Has a rash that spreads to the eyes or causes extreme pain in muscles.
• Develops skin infections around the blisters (red, hot, or painful).
• Has new blisters or spots appearing after 7 days.
• Experiences a fever of 38.0°C (100.4°F) for more than 5 days, or a temperature of 39°C (102.2°F) or above in children aged 3-6 months.

For pregnant women or those with weakened immune systems, immediate medical attention is required if exposed to chickenpox, as they are at higher risk of severe complications.

• Vaccination: The chickenpox vaccine is the most effective form of prevention. Two doses are recommended—one between 12-15 months and a second between ages 4-6 years. In regions where vaccination is available, it may be combined with the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine.
• Isolation: Keep individuals with chickenpox isolated from others, especially those at risk of complications, until all blisters have crusted over.
• Good Hygiene: Regular hand washing and maintaining clean environments can help prevent the spread of the virus.
• Avoid Contact with Infected People: If unvaccinated, high risk individuals and exposed, seek medical attention immediately. Antiviral medication or varicella-zoster immune globulin may be offered to people at high risk of severe chickenpox.