Is this Chicken Pox???

[racing_girl]

My problem started on Sat night... I was feeling fine all day and then Sat night I started to feel very bad. Chills, body aches and my arms was itching very badly.. I felt like I was getting the flu.. I woke Sunday with a fever and still very itchy arms... My fever broke later that day and after that I noticed that I had a rash all over my body (tiny little red bumps filled with fluid) and was itching.. Went to ER and that Dr. told me it was a viral infection rash... On Monday I was still itching so bad I went to the clinic and that Dr advised me that I had Chicken Pox....I feel bad... My head hurts... my lymph nodes in the back of my neck are swollen and hurt.... Behind my eyes hurt... My mouth is dry...and I am still itching but some of the places do have a scab on them.  I guess my question is can chicken pox make you feel like this?? Or should I still be worried about something else?????

[DrRakeshMD]

Hi Dear

Yes, baed on the signs and symptoms cited by you, it seems that you have contacted chicken pox.  Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It is generally characterized by a fever and itchy, red spots usually appearing on the chest and stomach first, then appearing in crops over the entire body. The red spots turn into small blisters (filled with fluid) that dry up and form scabs (crusts) over about a week. The disease is most commonly seen in children; however, adults tend to have a more severe disease. Chicken pox is a highly contagious disease from about 2 days before the rash appears and lasts until all the blisters are crusted over. The infection generally resolves on its own. However, antiviral medication (acyclovir) when administered tends to shorten the severity and course of the illness. Are you receiving any medications? Also, please take care of the personal hygiene and sharing of bed, towels etc as it is a highly contagious dieease.

Best

[racing_girl]

Oh by the way I am 37 years old