Is Chicken Pox a problem in pregnancy?
A. Chicken pox is a viral infection that usually occurs in childhood. Common symptom is a rash, small reddish spots or pimples. These spots blister and then scab over. New spots appear for up to 3-5 days. Fever and body aches occur before the rash appears. It is highly contagious 1-2 days prior to breaking out and until all spots are scabbed over. If you have chicken pox in early pregnancy, 1-2% babies have one or more birth defect due to the infection. The greatest risk is between 8-20 weeks of pregnancy.
