What is the difference between chickenpox and shingles?

Even though shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus (and neither are pleasant), they are not the same illness. So, what is the difference between chickenpox and shingles?

What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox (varicella) is a viral illness caused by the Varicella-Zoster-Virus¹. Most people recover without complications, but chickenpox in adults and immunosuppressed people can be severe while infection in pregnancy can cause fetal malformations, skin scarring, and other problems with the baby. 

Chickenpox symptoms usually occur two weeks after exposure to the virus and begin with a sudden onset of slight fever, runny nose, feeling generally unwell and a skin rash. The rash appears over three to four days and usually begins as small lumps that turn into blisters then scabs. 

During the runny nose phase the virus is spread by coughing. Later, when the blisters have formed crusts or scabs, the virus is spread by direct contact with the fluid in the blisters. The infection is highly contagious to people who have never had chickenpox or who have not been vaccinated.

The good news is chickenpox infection triggers an immune response and people rarely get chickenpox twice. People who have been vaccinated can still get chickenpox but it’s usually milder.

What are Shingles?

Shingles is the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus which causes chickenpox. After a person gets chickenpox, the virus stays dormant inside the body for life, and usually doesn’t cause any problems. 

Our immune systems weaken over time which can allow the usually inactive virus to reactivate, causing shingles. Shingles develops more commonly in people who are immunosuppressed and can be spread by direct contact with the skin rash of infected people. 

Shingles typically produces a painful rash that blisters and scabs over 10 to 15 days, and then clears within 2 to 4 weeks. 

Shingles usually appear on one side of the body or face and 48–72 hours before the rash appears, people may experience pain, itching, tingling, or numbness in the area where the rash will develop.

Shingles can appear as herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO), a rash involving the eyes or the nose, and can lead to long-term consequences, including pain, scarring and loss of vision in rare cases. 

What is the difference between Chickenpox and Shingles?

Although caused by the same virus, chickenpox and shingles are not the same. 

Chickenpox is usually a milder illness that affects children. Shingles is a more painful version that results from a reactivation of the virus long after chickenpox has disappeared.

How do you treat Chickenpox and Shingles?

If you are experiencing symptoms, you should speak to a doctor to find out the right treatment for you. You can request a telehealth consultation with one of our Australian-registered doctors from anywhere in Australia, seven days a week.

This article was written by Fergus Taylor, a writer with a corporate and government background encompassing health, infrastructure, media, advertising, environment, emergency services and justice.