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A now uncommon illness in the U.S.

	Thanks to the chickenpox vaccine, chickenpox is now an uncommon illness in the U.S. If you do happen to get the chickenpox, though, turn to ConsumerReportsHealth.org for trustworthy advice on best treatments.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org to find out what causes chickenpox, when it is contagious, and how to treat it in high-risk populations, like pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

We've brought together the best research about chickenpox and weighed the evidence about how to treat it. You can use our information to talk with your doctor and decide which treatments are best for you.

Key points about chickenpox

• Chickenpox is an infection with a virus that can cause an itchy rash.
• Because of the chickenpox vaccine, chickenpox is much less common in the U.S. today than it used to be. The vaccine has been used in the U.S. for the past 10 years, and 4 of 5 children are now vaccinated.
• If you have not been vaccinated and have not had chickenpox before, chickenpox is very easy to catch. You have a 9 in 10 chance of catching it if you come into contact with someone who has it.
• Most children don’t need any treatment for chickenpox. But chickenpox can be more serious for adults, babies, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women.
• Most people get chickenpox only once. However, the virus stays in the body, and may become active as shingles later on.

Most healthy children will get over the chickenpox on their own without treatment. For people in higher-risk groups, taking acyclovir soon after getting the chickenpox will probably make the illness milder. One treatment that needs further study is the use of shots that contain antibodies, to prevent chickenpox. These shots are used for certain people who have not had chickenpox, but have come into contact with it.

We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about chickenpox. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for you.