How do You Get Chickenpox?

You have chickenpox! What Is Chickenpox? Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella zoster.

People who get the virus often develop a rash of spots that look like blisters all over their bodies. The blisters are small and sit on an area of red skin that can be anywhere from the size of a pencil eraser to the size of a dime. You've probably heard that chickenpox are itchy.

The illness also may come with a runny nose and cough. But the good news is that chickenpox is a common illness for kids, and most get better by resting just like you do with a cold or the flu. And the really good news is that, thanks to the chickenpox vaccine, lots of kids don't get chickenpox at all.

Kids who do get it after they've gotten the shot often get less severe cases, which means they get better quicker. What Happens When You Have Chickenpox? Chickenpox may start out seeming like a cold: You might have a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and a cough.

But 1 to 2 days later, the rash begins, often in bunches of spots on the chest and face. From there it can spread out quickly over the entire body — sometimes the rash is even in a person's ears and mouth.