Can people recognise chicken pox?

In this video Dr O'Donovan asks members of the public if they can recognise chicken pox....

Chickenpox is common and mostly affects children, but you can get it at any age. It usually gets better by itself after 1 to 2 weeks without needing to see a GP.

An itchy, spotty rash is the main symptom of chickenpox. It can be anywhere on the body.

Chickenpox happens in 3 stages. But new spots can appear while others are becoming blisters or forming a scab.

Stage 1: small spots appear
Stage 2: the spots become blisters
Stage 3: the blisters become scabs

How to treat chickenpox at home

You'll need to stay away from school, nursery or work until all the spots have formed a scab. This is usually 5 days after the spots appeared.

You can spread chickenpox to other people from 2 days before your spots appear until they have all formed scabs – usually 5 days after your spots appeared.

How soon you get symptoms after catching chickenpox

The spots start appearing around 1 to 3 weeks after you caught chickenpox.

Chickenpox in pregnancy

Most people get chickenpox during childhood, so it's rare to get chickenpox when you're pregnant.

If you do get chickenpox when you're pregnant, there's a small risk of your baby being very ill when it's born.

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you have not had chickenpox before and you've been near someone with it.