Is chickenpox (Varicella) contagious?
Since many people are now vaccinated for varicella, the number of cases has been decreasing, but chickenpox has not been eliminated. Chickenpox is highly contagious and can be spread very easily by direct contact and droplet/airborne transmission, such as coughing or sneezing. The period of contagiousness begins approximately 1 to 2 days before onset of rash and ends when all lesions have crusted over. Once contracted, the symptoms begin to appear in about two weeks, but an individual may be symptom free for up to 21 days.
