Treatment Overview

Treatment for chickenpox (varicella) depends on a person's age, health, and severity of the illness.

• Healthy children with chickenpox may need only home treatment. This includes taking acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil) to reduce fever and discomfort. Follow the package instructions carefully. If you give medicine to your baby, follow your doctor's advice about what amount to give. (Do not give aspirin to people younger than 20 because of the risk of Reye syndrome.)
• Over-the counter oral antihistamines may help reduce itching. But check with your child's doctor before giving them to your child. Oatmeal baths and soothing lotions that don't contain antihistamines may also help. Examples of lotions to use include calamine lotion or Aveeno.
• Healthy teens and adults with chickenpox usually have more severe symptoms than children and are at higher risk for complications than children. Still, most need only home treatment. All teens and adults with chickenpox should call the doctor. Some may need hospital care.
• Pregnant women and people with immune system problems are at increased risk for complications. They should call the doctor right away if they suspect they have chickenpox.

Getting a shot of chickenpox antibodies may help delay or prevent a person from having chickenpox. And sometimes antiviral medicines are given to shorten the length of the illness.

If you have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine and you think you've been exposed to the virus, you may be able to get the chickenpox vaccine(What is a PDF document?). This may prevent you from having the illness or make the illness milder. It is recommended that the vaccine be given within 3 days after exposure to chickenpox. If you can't get the shot within 3 days, getting it up to 120 hours (5 days) after exposure may still help.²