How Does One Catch It?
The chickenpox virus spreads through the air and by direct contact. It is one of the most contagious germs known to man. If a person with chickenpox walks into a room, stays for a few minutes, leaves the room, and another person walks into the same room, the second person could get chickenpox. A whiff of air is all it takes to get sick from chickenpox.
Fact
Unlike cowpox, which humans can get from cows, chickenpox has nothing to do with chickens. You cannot get chickenpox from chickens. The name “chickenpox” was derived from the appearance of the rash, which resembles chick peas.
What makes it even worse is that a person with chickenpox is already contagious a day or two before the rash appears. So a person may be spreading chickenpox without knowing it until it's too late. In addition, chickenpox remains contagious until all the blisters crust over, which can take more than two weeks for some people.
The incubation period for chickenpox is around two to three weeks. So if your child has been exposed to chickenpox, you will have to wait a few weeks before you know whether she will come down with chickenpox.
