Chickenpox & Pregnancy

• Caused by the varicella-zoster virus
• Most common in children and usually mild. It can be very severe in adults

• Chickenpox begins with a fever, followed in a day or two by a very itchy rash Rash starts with red spots that soon turn into fluid-filled blisters. New blisters may form during the next few days, and after a few days, crusts form over the blisters. 

• Spreads easily through the air or by touching the fluid in a chickenpox blister.
• The development of the virus is usually 14-16 days, but may be anywhere from 10-21 days after contact with an infected person.
• Chickenpox is infectious (contagious) 1-2 days before the rash appears and for at least 5 days after the rash appears.

• Pregnant women who have never had chickenpox can develop severe illness if they get chickenpox while pregnant.
• Chickenpox can also affect the developing baby if the mother becomes infected in the first half of pregnancy. As well, the newborn baby can develop severe chickenpox if the mother has chickenpox around the time of delivery.
• If you are pregnant, have been in contact with someone who has chickenpox and think you may not have had chickenpox, consult your doctor as soon as possible
• You can have a blood test to determine if you have antibodies to protect you
• If the blood test shows no antibodies, you may be advised to get a special type of injection to help prevent severe infection .  

• The varicella vaccine is available to prevent chickenpox. It should NOT be used in pregnancy.
• Women who receive the vaccine should wait 3 months to become pregnant.
• A reliable form of birth control must be used during this time
• Women who have not had chickenpox as determined by a blood test, and are considering a future pregnancy should receive the vaccine.
• For further information contact your doctor or the Brant County Health Unit.