Chickenpox (varicella)
Chickenpox is a disease caused by the varicella virus. People with chickenpox develop an itchy rash that looks like insect bites at first before it develops into fluid-filled blisters that may break open and crust over. Chickenpox can also cause fevers, headache, abdominal (belly) pain, muscle aches, and a general feeling of "unwellness" or irritability.
Chickenpox used to be very common, with most people getting the disease in childhood. A vaccine has made chickenpox much less common in many countries, but it is still possible for children to catch the disease.
A child who has had a kidney transplant is at risk for getting chickenpox if they have not had it or had the varicella vaccine. A blood test is performed before a child is listed for kidney transplant to see if they are protected against chickenpox. If they are not protected your doctor may want them to have the chickenpox vaccine before transplant.
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