How long is the incubation period of chickenpox

  The incubation period of chickenpox varies individually and is related to immunity, usually 10-24 days, with 14-16 days being more common.  Chickenpox is an acute viral infection caused by varicella-zoster virus, which can be transmitted by respiratory and contact transmission. Typically, individuals do not develop chickenpox immediately after infection, but have an incubation period of 10-24 days, during which patients are asymptomatic. The patient then enters the onset phase, which includes the prodromal phase and the rash phase in that order. In the prodromal phase, infants and children are often asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, including low fever, irritability or refusal to breastfeed, while older children and adults may have symptoms such as chills, low fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat, cough, nausea, and loss of appetite, etc. The symptoms last 1-2 days before a rash appears and the patient enters the rash phase. In the rash phase, the rash is initially a small red papule, which turns into a blister with a diameter of 3-5mm after 1-2 days. The initial blister is transparent and becomes light yellow with a red halo around it in 1-2 days, and after 3-5 days, the blister becomes umbilical-like depression, gradually dries and crusts, and does not leave a scar after decrusting.  It should be noted that in patients from 1-2 days before the appearance of the rash until the herpes is completely crusted, the period is contagious, and people who have had close contact with a person with chickenpox or herpes zoster in the last 2-3 weeks should be isolated and observed. Also, if the person has not received the relevant vaccine and has not had chickenpox, he or she may also become ill. Therefore, for individuals who have not been vaccinated or have not had chickenpox in the past, it is important to take care of timely vaccination to prevent chickenpox.