We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Many people think of chickenpox as a childhood disease, but adults can get it, too. In a healthy person, the varicella-zoster — or chickenpox — virus usually causes mild symptoms.

Many of us think of chicken pox also known as varicella as the childhood infection that everyone gets once in their lifetime. Adults who have never had chicken pox or received the chicken pox vaccine can still contract the disease. And when this happens, it can cause serious problems. When adults contract chicken pox, there is a greater risk of developing complications. This is especially so for people with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, previous organ or bone marrow transplants or infected by HIV. Although chicken pox symptoms in adults are similar to those exhibited by children, they tend to be more severe.

These are most likely to appear on the face, ears and scalp, under the arms, on the chest and belly, and on the arms and legs. Read more about the symptoms of chickenpox. Read more about the causes of chickenpox. Chickenpox is most common in children under the age of Read more about what you need to do to stop chickenpox spreading.

Although many people think of chickenpox as a childhood disease, adults are still susceptible. Also known as varicella, chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus VZV. It is most often recognized by a rash of itchy red blisters that appear on the face, neck, body, arms, and legs. Chickenpox symptoms in adults typically resemble those in children, but they can become more severe. The disease progresses through symptoms that start one to three weeks after exposure to the virus, including:.