What is chickenpox, and who is this visit for?
Chickenpox is an itchy rash that turns into blisters. It spreads very easily. Teens and adults often get sicker than young children. This visit is for teens 13 to 17 and adults up to 64. A parent or guardian answers for a teen. If that is you, read "you" as your teen. You never had chickenpox. You never had the chickenpox vaccine. Your first spot showed up less than 24 hours ago. The rash is itchy and is spreading from your chest, back, or face. In the 10 to 21 days before, you were near someone with chickenpox or shingles. You send 2 photos: one of your chest or back, and one close-up of the spots. Do not send photos of private parts. We do not order tests.
Why do the first 24 hours matter?
A medicine called acyclovir can help. It works best if you start it in the first 24 hours after your first spot. We cannot promise it will reach you in that time. We do not know if it helps when it is started later. Our reply can take up to 6 hours. That time counts toward the 24 hours.
What does the medicine do, and how do I get it?
The doctor reads your answers and photos. If it fits, the doctor sends a prescription for acyclovir 800 mg. Have someone else pick it up, or use the drive-through or delivery. Do not go inside the pharmacy. Take 1 tablet 4 times a day for 5 days. Spread the doses through the hours you are awake. Start the first dose as soon as you have it. Drink plenty of fluids. In studies, it made the illness shorter and milder in teens and adults when started in the first day. It does not cure chickenpox at once. If your photos do not look like chickenpox, the doctor will tell you. Then you need to see a doctor in person within 2 days.
What can I do at home?
Calamine lotion and a cool bath with baking soda or oatmeal can ease the itch. Keep your nails short. If you scratch a blister, wash your hands for 20 seconds. For fever or aches, use acetaminophen (Tylenol) and follow the box. Do not use aspirin. Try not to use ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
How long do I stay home?
You can spread chickenpox from 1 to 2 days before your first spot until every blister has a scab. That takes about a week. Stay home from work, school, and public places until then. Stay away from anyone who is pregnant, from babies, from anyone with a weak immune system, and from anyone who never had chickenpox or the vaccine. If you need care, call ahead and say you may have chickenpox.
What about the people who live with me?
About 9 in 10 people who live with you and never had chickenpox or the vaccine will catch it. If someone at home is pregnant, is a baby, or has a weak immune system, they should call their own doctor today. They may need a shot to help stop it. The shot must be given within 10 days of contact. Anyone else at home who never had chickenpox or the vaccine should also call their own doctor today. Ask about the chickenpox vaccine. It is given within 3 to 5 days after contact. You can spread chickenpox 1 to 2 days before your first spot, so some of that time may already be gone. We cannot treat people at home in this visit.
Do I need a test?
We do not order tests. A doctor can swab a blister to test for chickenpox. We cannot order that test. If your photos or your history do not look like typical chickenpox, you need to see a doctor in person within 2 days. If a warning sign or a stop on this page fits you, follow it first.
What if my rash sounds like shingles, or hand, foot, and mouth disease?
If your rash sounds more like shingles, use our shingles visit. That means blisters in one band on one side of your body, with pain, burning, or tingling. If your rash sounds more like hand, foot, and mouth disease, use our hand, foot, and mouth visit. That means sores in the mouth and spots or blisters mostly on your hands and feet. These are patterns, not diagnoses.
What should I tell the doctor about my safety?
Tell us about kidney problems and every medicine you take. Ibuprofen or naproxen on most days can strain the kidneys. Tell us if you are breastfeeding. Tell us if you ever had a bad reaction to acyclovir or valacyclovir. If you throw up a dose but fluids stay down, message us.
When do I need care right away?
Read the lists from the top. If more than one fits, follow the first one. Do not wait for our reply if a warning sign above starts. Our reply can take up to 6 hours. That time counts toward the 24 hours. For a 911 sign, call 911 or go to the ER now, and tell the staff you may have chickenpox. For every other list, call ahead and say you may have chickenpox.
How much does the visit cost?
The visit price is shown before you pay. You pay the pharmacy for the medicine.