Topic Overview
What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox (varicella) is a common illness
that causes an itchy rash and red spots or blisters (pox) all over the body. It
is most common in children, but most people will get chickenpox at some point
in their lives if they have not had the chickenpox vaccine.
Chickenpox usually isn't serious in healthy children. But it can cause
problems for pregnant women, newborns, teens and adults, and people who have
immune system problems that make it hard for the body
to fight infection.
After you have had chickenpox, you are not
likely to get it again. But the virus stays in your body long after you get
over the illness. If the virus becomes active again, it can cause a painful
viral infection called
shingles.
What causes chickenpox, and how is it spread?
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It can spread easily.
You can get it from an infected person who sneezes, coughs, or shares food or
drinks. You can also get it if you touch the fluid from a chickenpox
blister.
A person who has chickenpox can spread the virus even
before he or she has any symptoms. Chickenpox is most easily spread from 2 to 3
days before the rash appears until all the blisters have crusted over.
You are at risk for chickenpox if you have never had the illness and have
not had the chickenpox vaccine. If someone you live with gets chickenpox, your
risk is even higher because of the close contact.
What are the symptoms?
The first symptoms of
chickenpox often are a fever, a headache, and a sore throat. You or your child
may feel sick, tired, and not very hungry. The
chickenpox rash usually appears about 1 or 2 days
after the first symptoms start. Some children get the chickenpox rash without
having a fever or other early symptoms.
It usually takes 14 to 16
days to get the symptoms of chickenpox after you have been around someone with
the virus. This is called the incubation period.
After a
chickenpox red spot appears, it usually takes about 1 or 2 days for the spot to
go through all its stages. This includes blistering, bursting, drying, and
crusting over. New red spots will appear every day for up to 5 to 7
days.
You or your child can go back to work, school, or day care
when all blisters have crusted over. This is usually about 10 days after the
first symptoms start.
Other illnesses can have symptoms like those
of chickenpox. For this reason, you may think you have had chickenpox twice
when instead you have had two different infections.
How is chickenpox diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask
you about your symptoms and will examine you. This usually gives your doctor
enough information to find out if you have chickenpox.
Healthy
children with chickenpox symptoms may not need to visit a doctor. You may be
able to describe your child’s symptoms to the doctor over the phone. Then your
child won't have to leave the house and risk spreading the virus to others. But
it is important to check with your doctor to find out if he or she wants to see
your child.
Teenagers, adults, pregnant women, and people with
health problems need to see a doctor for chickenpox. This is especially
important for pregnant women, since chickenpox during early pregnancy can cause
birth defects. Call first to make an appointment and to discuss whether you
need to take any steps to avoid spreading the virus when you arrive. For
example, office staff may take you straight to an exam room, rather than have
you wait in the lobby.
How is it treated?
Most healthy children and
adults need only home treatment for chickenpox. Home treatment includes resting
and taking medicines to reduce fever and itching. You also can soak in oatmeal
baths to help with itching.
People with long-term diseases or
other health problems may need more treatment for chickenpox. They may need
immunoglobulin treatment (IG) or antiviral medicine.
Your doctor can give you these soon after you are exposed to the virus to help
you feel better sooner.
How can you prevent chickenpox?
You can prevent chickenpox by getting the
chickenpox vaccine. Doctors recommend two
doses of this shot for healthy children 12 months of age and older who have not
had chickenpox. Older children and adults who have not had chickenpox and have
not yet had the vaccine also need two doses.
If you
have been around a person who has the virus and you have not had chickenpox or
the vaccine, you still may be able to prevent the illness. Get a shot of
chickenpox antibodies or the vaccine right away.
In rare cases,
people who have had the vaccine still get chickenpox. And a few people who have
already had chickenpox get it again. If this happens, a milder form of the
illness usually occurs, with fewer blisters and symptoms. This is called a
breakthrough infection.
Do not expose your child to chickenpox on
purpose. Some parents expose their children to chickenpox because they think it
is safer for children to have the illness when they are young. But this isn't a
good idea, because even young children can have serious problems from
chickenpox.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about chickenpox: | |
Being diagnosed: | |
Getting treatment: | |
Ongoing concerns: | |
Taking care of yourself: | |
Cause
The varicella-zoster virus, one of
the herpes viruses, causes
chickenpox infection. The same virus that causes
chickenpox also causes
shingles (herpes
zoster).
How it is spread
The chickenpox virus can spread
easily from one person to another. It most often spreads through the
respiratory tract, such as mucous membranes of the mouth and nose. You also can
get chickenpox through the air, from an infected person's sneezing or coughing.
Less often, chickenpox is spread when fluid from a chickenpox blister gets on
your skin. Chickenpox is most contagious from 2 to 3 days before the rash
develops until all the blisters have crusted over.
In rare cases, a person can get chickenpox from the fluid of shingles
blisters.
Symptoms
The incubation period—the time from exposure
to the
chickenpox virus until you have symptoms—is usually
14 to 16 days but can be from 10 to 21 days. The first symptoms of chickenpox
infection include:
- A fever of
100.4°F (38°C) to
103°F (39.4°C).
- Feeling sick, tired, and sluggish.
- Little
or no appetite.
- Headache and sore throat.
The first symptoms are usually mild in children, but they
can be severe in teens and adults. These symptoms may continue throughout the
illness.
About 1 or 2 days after the first symptoms of chickenpox
appear, an itchy
rash develops. During a typical course of
chickenpox:
- Red or swollen spots or bumps appear and turn
into blisters that are filled with clear or cloudy fluid and that look like pimples.
- The
blisters break open, often leaking fluid.
- A dry crust forms over
the broken blisters as they heal.
Chickenpox is most contagious from 2 to 3 days before the
rash appears until all the blisters have crusted over.
Other conditions may cause a similar rash.
What Happens
The first symptoms of
chickenpox—fever, feeling sick, decreased appetite,
headache, cough, and sore throat—usually develop between 14 and 16 days after
contact with a person infected with the virus. But it may be as late as 21
days after contact before symptoms appear.
- Some children develop the
chickenpox rash without first having the early
symptoms.
- Babies 6 months old and younger may have some protection
against chickenpox from
antibodies passed on by their mothers. So if they are
infected with the virus, they may not have many symptoms.
- People
with
impaired immune systems may develop the first symptoms
of chickenpox sooner than the usual 10 to 14 days after exposure.
Chickenpox rash usually appears on the upper body about 1
or 2 days after the first symptoms develop. The trunk usually is most affected,
the arms and legs the least. The rash also may spread to the scalp, face, nose,
and mouth. In rare cases, it spreads into the eyelid lining (conjunctiva), into
the clear covering over the eye (cornea), inside the throat, or into the
genital area.
It takes about 1 or 2 days for a chickenpox red spot
(macule) to go through all its stages, including drying and crusting over. New
red spots continue to develop every day for as long as 5 to 7 days.
Skin infection is the most common complication for children under age 5.
Skin infection can develop after scratching the rash, which allows bacteria
from the skin or under the fingernails to get into a chickenpox blister. This
condition can become serious if it is not treated. An infected blister also may
develop into a scar.
Some people may have more chickenpox blisters
and longer-lasting symptoms than healthy children. Severe illness or
complications are more common in:
- Infants after infection of the mother. A baby
born within a few days of his or her mother's chickenpox infection has a risk of
severe chickenpox infection. Babies born to women who had chickenpox in the
first or early second
trimester of pregnancy may develop congenital
varicella syndrome, which can cause birth defects such as eye problems or an
underdeveloped limb.
- Pregnant women, who are at risk for
premature labor and
varicella pneumonia.
- People age 13 and
older (especially people who smoke cigarettes or have long-term lung diseases).
- The most common complication in older
children is acute cerebellar
ataxia, which causes temporary problems with muscle
coordination.
- In adults, varicella pneumonia is the most common
serious complication.
- People with impaired immune
systems.
- People who have
cystic fibrosis, which causes problems with the lungs
and other organs.
- Children and adolescents receiving long-term
aspirin therapy.
The varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox can
appear in different forms. These
variations of chickenpox are most often seen in young
children and in the fetus of a pregnant woman.
Although you become
immune to the chickenpox virus after you have had
chickenpox, the virus will still be in your body. The virus can later cause
shingles (herpes zoster), usually when you are an
older adult. About 20% of people who have chickenpox will later develop
shingles.2
What Increases Your Risk
You are at risk for
chickenpox if you have not had chickenpox or the
vaccine and you:
- Live with someone who has
chickenpox.
- Are indoors for more than 1 hour with someone
who has chickenpox.
- Are in the hospital and share a room with
someone who later develops chickenpox or are cared for by a staff member who
later develops chickenpox.
- Have an
impaired immune system.
Your risk of getting chickenpox is especially high if you
are exposed to a household member with chickenpox, because of the close
contact. Also, you may develop a more severe case than the person who
infected you. Chickenpox is most contagious from 1 to 2 days before the rash
appears until the blisters have dried and formed crusts.
Some
people also are at increased risk of complications from chickenpox, such as newborns,
teenagers, adults—especially pregnant women—and those with impaired immune
systems.
After you have had chickenpox or the vaccine, you become
immune to the virus. It is possible that you may have
a slight reaction after reexposure, such as a few spots and a slight fever. But
you are not likely to get chickenpox more than once.
When To Call a Doctor
Call your doctor right away if you or your child with
chickenpox has:
- A severe headache or constant vomiting,
sensitivity to bright light, or unusual sleepiness or confusion. These may be
signs of inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).
- Problems breathing or
persistent coughing. These may be signs of
varicella pneumonia.
- Red, warm, and sore
skin, or if the chickenpox rash changes to bigger open sores. These may be
signs of serious skin infection.
Call your doctor if you or your child with
chickenpox has any of the following:
- A fever of more than
102°F (38.9°C) that lasts
longer than 2 days
- Severe itching that cannot be relieved by home
treatment
- Chickenpox rash on the eyeball
- A rash that
lasts longer than 2 weeks
If you are older than age 12 and have not had chickenpox or
don't know if you have had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, call your
doctor if you have been in contact with someone who has chickenpox. This is
especially important for pregnant women and for people with
impaired immune systems, no matter what age they are.
If you or your child has chickenpox, call your doctor to make an appointment and to discuss whether you should
take any precautions when you arrive to avoid spreading the infection. For
example, office staff may take you directly to an exam room upon your
arrival rather than have you wait in the lobby.
Watchful Waiting
Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If
you know that you or your child has been in contact with someone who has
chickenpox, watch for the first symptoms (such as fever, feeling sick,
decreased appetite, headache, cough, and sore throat). These symptoms usually
appear between 14 and 16 days after contact with the infected person. Call your
doctor as soon as symptoms or signs appear.
Who To See
The
following health professionals can diagnose and treat chickenpox:
If severe complications develop, you may be
referred to a specialist. For example, you may see a
pulmonologist for lung problems. But most healthy
children and adults do not develop serious complications from
chickenpox.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
Exams and Tests
Chickenpox (varicella) usually can be diagnosed by the
appearance of the
chickenpox rash. For healthy children, describing the
rash over the phone to a doctor (rather than visiting the office)
may be all that is needed.
But some people need to see a doctor when symptoms of chickenpox appear. You are at more risk for
complications from chickenpox if you are a teenager, adult (especially if you
smoke cigarettes or have a long-term lung disease), or a pregnant woman, or you
have an
impaired immune system.
If you visit
your doctor's office, chickenpox is diagnosed by a
physical exam and
medical history.
Viral tests
can determine whether you are
immune to the virus and are unlikely to get
or have chickenpox.
If you have a blistering rash and it's not known if
it was caused by the chickenpox virus, other tests can be done.
A
woman who has chickenpox early in her pregnancy may want to have her
fetus checked for birth defects. This can be done with
a
fetal ultrasound.
Find out if you are immune
Some people may be required to be tested for chickenpox
immunity. These include people who work in hospitals, day care centers,
schools, and other areas where chickenpox can easily be passed from one person
to another. Many states require that children entering day care and school
have the
chickenpox vaccine(What is a PDF document?) unless they have a doctor's diagnosis or blood test results
that prove immunity.
If you are more likely to get severely ill
from chickenpox or to have
complications of chickenpox, you may want testing to confirm whether you have ever had chickenpox and have immunity
against it. These people include:
- People with impaired immune systems.
- Women who are
able to have children and have never had chickenpox. Women who are pregnant or who want to become pregnant
should consider being tested to see whether they have chickenpox immunity.
Having chickenpox immunity prevents
complications of chickenpox during pregnancy.
If you have never had chickenpox and therefore do not
have immunity against it, you may choose to get the chickenpox vaccine. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of
the vaccine.
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 also 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.1
Prevention
Chickenpox
(varicella) is a common contagious illness caused by a type of herpes virus.
You can prevent chickenpox by getting the
chickenpox vaccine.(What is a PDF document?) Many states require that
children entering day care and school have the vaccine unless they show proof
of
immunity (doctor's diagnosis or blood test results).
The vaccine works well and is recommended for:
- All healthy children 12 months
of age and older who have not had chickenpox. It is given in 2 doses: the first
at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years. Children age 12 and younger can get the MMRV shot(What is a PDF document?), which
contains the vaccines for measles,
mumps, and rubella as well as varicella. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of the MMRV shot.
- Older children and adults who have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.
- People
who do not know whether they had chickenpox as a child. It is safe for them to
receive the chickenpox vaccine even if they had chickenpox in the
past.
- People who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine and have
been exposed to someone ill from the virus.
In rare cases,
people who have had the vaccine still get chickenpox. If this happens, you will
probably get a milder form of the illness, with fewer blisters and symptoms.
This is called a breakthrough infection. Talk with your doctor if you have
questions or concerns about the vaccine. For more information on routine
immunizations, see the topic
Immunizations.
Some people can't get the chickenpox vaccine to help prevent chickenpox. But they may be able to get a shot of chickenpox
antibodies instead. The antibodies work best when they are given soon after exposure to the virus. If you
have been in contact with a person who has chickenpox and are not sure whether
you are immune, talk with your doctor about whether you should
have either the chickenpox vaccine or antibodies.
You can help
prevent chickenpox by avoiding close contact with people infected with the
virus. This is particularly important if you have an
impaired immune system. But the virus can spread from
an infected person even before symptoms develop. Chickenpox spreads quickly
among people who are in close contact with each other in confined spaces, such
as children in small classrooms or people who share bedrooms. It may be
hard to prevent chickenpox from spreading after the rash develops.
Women who want to become pregnant and have never had chickenpox should
think about being tested for immunity or get the vaccine to prevent
complications of chickenpox during pregnancy.
Don't expose children to chickenpox
Parents should
not intentionally expose children to chickenpox. It is not safer for children to have the infection when they are
younger than when they are older. Even young
children can have serious (though rare) complications from the infection,
including
pneumonia or
encephalitis. And it is not possible to know which
children will develop complications.
Prevent the spread of chickenpox
If you or your
child has chickenpox, don't return to work, school, or day care until after all
blisters have crusted over, usually about 10 days after the first symptoms
start. To help
prevent spreading chickenpox, stay away from people
who aren't immune.
Home Treatment
Most healthy children, teens, and
adults with
chickenpox (varicella) need only home treatment. But
all teens and adults with chickenpox need to see a doctor. Call first to make
an appointment and to discuss whether you need to take any steps to avoid
spreading the virus when you arrive. For example, office staff may take you
straight to an exam room, rather than have you wait in the lobby.
If you have chickenpox, you do not need to stay in bed, but it's best to
stay quiet and rest. You can take oral
over-the-counter medicines to treat symptoms such as
fever and itching. Before giving medicine to your sick child, check with your
child's doctor. Because of their small size, children are more sensitive than
adults to the effects of some medicines. Use a measuring spoon or medicine cup
to give liquid medicine to a child. Do not guess the amount or use a regular
table spoon.
Reduce itching
The
chickenpox rash itches. Scratching the blisters may
cause a skin infection or scars to form after the blisters heal. You can take
steps at home to
control itching, such as taking oatmeal baths, applying cool compresses, and
taking
antihistamines by mouth. Check with your child's
doctor before giving your child antihistamines.
Monitor fever
Fever is your body's normal response to infection. A
higher-than-normal temperature kills bacteria and viruses that cause illness.
Medicines that reduce fever stop this natural process, so they should be used
only as needed. If a child with chickenpox does not act sick or complain of
symptoms, you may choose not to give medicine for fever. Call your doctor if your child's fever lasts longer than 48 hours. You can help
reduce a fever by using over-the-counter medicines
and drinking cool liquids. 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).
Prevent the spread of infection
Chickenpox can
spread easily from one person to another. If you have frequent and close
contact with a person infected with chickenpox, such as a family member, you
may be exposed to a large amount of the virus. As a result, you may develop a
more severe illness than the person who spread it. You also may be at greater
risk for complications from the illness, especially if you have an
impaired immune system. To
prevent the spread of chickenpox, you or your child
should stay home from work or school when ill.
Medications
Most people can get the
chickenpox shot (vaccine) to prevent
chickenpox. The shot doesn't fully protect you right
away. But you'll become
immune to the virus with a little time. If you get the
shot within 3 days after you were exposed to the virus, you may prevent chickenpox or at
least get a milder case.
Most people don’t get
chickenpox more than once. But it’s possible to have a mild case, such as a few
spots and a slight fever, if you're exposed to the virus again.
Antiviral medicines may be an option after you start to have
symptoms of chickenpox. These medicines do not prevent or cure chickenpox, but
they can help shorten its course and make it milder.
Immunoglobulins can be given to help protect you from
getting chickenpox after you have been exposed to it. But these medicines
can give only short-term protection (up to 3 months).
After you
have symptoms of chickenpox, you can use oral
over-the-counter medicines to help relieve discomfort.
Check with your child's doctor before giving medicine to your child.
Medication Choices
Vaccination to prevent chickenpox
To prevent
chickenpox, most people can get the
chickenpox vaccine(What is a PDF document?) (Varivax) before exposure to the virus.
- Two doses are routinely given at 12
to 15 months and 4 to 6 years of age. Adolescents and adults who are not
already immune can get two doses at least 4 weeks apart.
- Children
age 12 and younger can substitute the MMRV (ProQuad) shot instead of getting
separate shots for chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella. Talk to your child's doctor about the pros and cons of the MMRV shot.
If you are exposed to
chickenpox and you get the vaccine within 72 hours (3 days), you may not get
sick or your illness may be mild. If you can't get the shot within 3 days,
getting it up to 120 hours (5 days) after exposure may still help.1Some people can't get the chickenpox vaccine,
including women who are pregnant and people who have ever had a serious
allergic reaction to gelatin or the drug neomycin.
Medicines to help reduce the severity of chickenpox
- Antiviral medicines, such as acyclovir. Antiviral medicine is usually used to treat
adults and people with
impaired immune systems. Healthy children usually
don't need this medicine when they have chickenpox. It is not known
whether antiviral medicines reduce a person's chances of having
complications of chickenpox.
- Immunoglobulins (IG). Immunoglobulins help the body's
immune system recognize and destroy harmful bacteria
and viruses in the body, such as the varicella virus. To prevent
infections, IG can be given to
pregnant women or people who have certain immune system deficiencies. Immunoglobulin is usually taken from the blood of people recovering
from an illness. For example, the IG given to help prevent chickenpox infection
is called VariZIG (or VZIG). It is taken from the blood of people who are
recovering from chickenpox. If you get VariZIG or IG within 96 hours (4 days)
of being exposed to an infected person, it can help make your illness milder or
may prevent you from getting ill. If you notice signs of chickenpox infection
in the 3 to 4 weeks after you've been exposed, call your doctor. The protection
provided by an immunoglobulin injection lasts about 3 months. Immunoglobulin
for chickenpox must be given before a rash appears.
Medicines to relieve pain and discomfort from chickenpox
- Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen
(such as Advil) to control pain and fever. Follow the package instructions carefully. If you give medicine to your baby, follow your doctor's advice about what amount to give. People over
age 20 also can take aspirin to reduce fever. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 because of the risk of
Reye syndrome.
- Oral
antihistamines to relieve itching, such as Benadryl or
Vistaril. Talk to your doctor before using any antihistamine lotions or creams
on yourself or your child. And check with your child's doctor before giving
antihistamine pills to your child.
What to Think About
Vaccinations to prevent
chickenpox help you or your child avoid an illness that causes discomfort,
missed work or school, and possibly complications.
In rare cases,
you or your child will get a mild rash after having the chickenpox vaccine.
If this occurs, it is best to stay away from other people who have not had
chickenpox or the vaccine. When the rash is gone and all blisters have dried
and crusted over, you are no longer potentially contagious.
When
you use medicines to treat symptoms of chickenpox, follow instructions
carefully. It is especially important to use care when giving prescription and
nonprescription medicines to newborns and small children. If you need to, you
can use soothing, non-antihistamine lotions (such as calamine or Aveeno). But
talk to your doctor before using any other skin products for itching.
Your doctor may prescribe
antibiotics to you or your child if you develop a skin
infection from chickenpox blisters.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations
| American Academy of Pediatrics |
| 141 Northwest Point Boulevard |
| Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098 |
| Phone: | (847) 434-4000 |
| Fax: | (847) 434-8000 |
| Email: | kidsdocs@aap.org |
| Web Address: | www.aap.org |
| |
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers a
variety of educational materials, such as links to publications about parenting
and general growth and development. Immunization information, safety and
prevention tips, AAP guidelines for various conditions, and links to other
organizations are also available. |
|
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Vaccines and Immunizations |
| 1600 Clifton Road |
| Atlanta, GA 30333 |
| Phone: | 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) |
| TDD: | 1-888-232-6348 |
| Email: | cdcinfo@cdc.gov |
| Web Address: | www.cdc.gov/vaccines |
| |
This CDC Web site has information about vaccines and the diseases that can
be prevented by immunization. The Web site includes the recommended
immunization schedules for children, teens, and adults. There is also
information about vaccine side effects and safety, school and state
requirements, and immunization records. Interactive schedules are also
available. |
|
| KidsHealth for Parents, Children, and
Teens |
| 10140 Centurion Parkway North |
| Jacksonville, FL 32256 |
| Phone: | (904) 697-4100 |
| Fax: | (904) 697-4125 |
| Web Address: | www.kidshealth.org |
| |
This Web site is sponsored by the Nemours Foundation. It
has a wide range of information about children's health, from allergies and
diseases to normal growth and development (birth to adolescence). This Web site
offers separate areas for kids, teens, and parents, each providing
age-appropriate information that the child or parent can understand. You can
sign up to get weekly e-mails about your area of interest. |
|
| March of Dimes |
| 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue |
| White Plains, NY 10605 |
| Phone: | (914) 997-4488 |
| Web Address: | www.marchofdimes.com |
| |
The March of Dimes tries to improve the health of babies
by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and early death. March of Dimes
supports research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies'
lives. The organization's website has information on premature birth, birth
defects, birth defects testing, pregnancy, and prenatal care. |
|
References
Citations
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2009).
Varicella-zoster infections. In LK Pickering et al., eds., Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 28th ed., pp.
714–727. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of
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Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MD, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics |
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| Last Revised | July 30, 2010 |
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Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the Magnet designation, the highest award for nursing excellence given by the American Nurses Association.