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Chicken pox
So I had chicken pox on 26th February. I started to take ZOVIRAX 400 as prescribed by doctor from this very starting day. 5days course hab been completed on 2nd March. I just have drying out scabs on my body. Am I still contagious! Do I need to stay isolation till all the crust scabbed over! Or can I get out after 9th March(10days). Please guide me. I lsolated my self from my baby more than 7days.
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Chicken pox is contagious 1-3 days prior rash till crust formation but in some cases it has been found to be contagious even after crusting.
Kindly consult a clinician .
You can do so by directly consulting me on WhatsApp nine eight seven zero three one eight zero five two.
Regards,
Dr Hammad Masood
(MBBS,PgD,MRCPI)
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Chickenpox (caused by Varicella zoster virus) is contagious:
• 1–2 days before rash appears
• Until ALL lesions have crusted over
• Usually about 5–7 days after rash onset
Once all spots are dry and crusted, you are generally NOT contagious, even if scabs are still present.
⸻
• Rash started: 26th Feb
• Today: around day 8–9
• Lesions: Dry scabs, no new vesicles
If no new lesions have appeared in the last 48 hours and all existing lesions are crusted (no fluid-filled blisters), you are very unlikely to be contagious now.
You do NOT need to wait until scabs fall off. Crusting is enough.
⸻
Regarding your baby
• If your baby is less than 1 year old, they are more vulnerable.
• If baby has already been exposed for 7 days, exposure has already occurred (contagious period is earlier).
• If baby develops fever or rash in next 10–21 days, consult pediatrician.
If your lesions are fully crusted, you can resume normal contact, but:
• Avoid scratching
• Maintain hand hygiene
• Keep lesions covered if possible
⸻
You can likely end isolation around 9th March (10 days) IF:
• No new lesions in last 48 hours
• All lesions are crusted and dry
• No fever
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Till scabs r there u going to infection others. So be isolated.
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In your case:
Rash started 26 Feb
10 days completes on 9 March
If by 9 March:
No new lesions for 48 hours
All lesions are dry and fully crusted
No fluid-filled blisters remaining
👉 Then you are generally considered non-contagious and isolation can be stopped.
Next Steps
isolation
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It’s better to stay isolated
Next Steps
Consult
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You are contagious when the scabs are being shed. You can apply calamine lotion on all those areas which have scabs. Then the potential to spread the disease is controlled to a very large extent.
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You remain contagious till all chicken pox rashes have crusted.There is no particular time limit.
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If all lesions have completely crushed (scabbed), and no more new lesions appears from last 2 days now you are not contagious. Don't worry
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As all vesicles are dried up u r no longer contagious. Make sure that no new vesicles in last 3 days . Based on ur child age and immunization (vaccination) status u can have contact with baby. If child is in very young age better stay away from baby for 3 more days
Next Steps
connect with me on practo for further treatment and guidance
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Isolation is good
Drink plenty of water tender coconut buttermilk
Take curd rice
Avoid spicy food and take less amount of salt in all food because taking excess salt it produce itching all over the body
If u have fever take
tab dolo 650mg 1-1-1for 3 days
If u have throat infection take Tab azithromycin 500mg 1-0-1 for 3 days
And continue Zovirax 400mg
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At this stage, you are more contagious, stay isolated till scabs are cleared. Avoid scratching the scabs and removing them manually as that can leave scars.
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Isolate till the last lesion gets crusted
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Actually you would have incubated the infection for 2-3 weeks before you noticed the chickenpox and the baby would have been in contact with you then.
All the best.
www.jgsr-health-education.in
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The lesions are contagious till they are scraped off
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Chickenpox (varicella) is contagious:
• From 1–2 days before rash appears
• Until all lesions have completely crusted (scabbed over)
If you now have:
✔ Only dry scabs
✔ No new fresh fluid-filled blisters
✔ No moist or oozing lesions
Then you are generally no longer contagious.
The key rule is not number of days, but whether all lesions have crusted.
Most adults stop being contagious around 7–10 days after rash onset, provided no new lesions are appearing.
If by 9th March:
• No new spots
• All lesions dry and crusted
It is usually safe to end isolation.
Next Steps
Check carefully:
✔ Are there any fresh fluid-filled blisters?
✔ Any wet or soft lesions?
If yes → continue isolation.
If no → you are very likely safe.
Since you have a baby:
Important question:
• Has your baby been vaccinated?
• Is baby less than 1 year old?
Infants
Health Tips
✔ Do not scratch scabs
✔ Keep skin clean and dry
✔ Moisturize gently once scabs fall
✔ Avoid close skin contact with baby until fully crusted
✔ Maintain hand hygiene
You’ve already isolated responsibly for more than 7 days, which is good.
If you tell me:
• Exact date rash started
• Whether any new lesions appeared after March 2
• Baby’s age and vaccination status
I can give a precise clearance recommendation. If you’d like a definitive assessment to safely reunite with your baby without anxiety, booking an online consultation would provide personalized guidance and reassurance.
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The contagious timeline is between 1-2 days before rash till all the lesions gets scabbed.So according to ur timeline from feb 26 till 9th march it was around 11 days.
So the timeline is sufficient,just check all your lesions gets scabbed and no new vesicles appeared then you are no longer contagious
Next Steps
About approaching baby - at 9th march transmission risk is very low even though it is safe to wait for another one or two days
-wash hands thoroughly
-cover all your scabs
-avoid direct skin contact with scabs
Health Tips
Contact me anytime on practo for further consultation
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Wait till all the lesions are scabbed.
Avoid contact with your baby till then.
Don't take risk.
Next Steps
Take adequate amount of fluids and rest .
Trim your nails .
Health Tips
Don't scratch the lesions(can bring bacterial infection).
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In chickenpox, a person is usually contagious until all the lesions have dried and formed crusts (scabs).
If your blisters have dried and only scabs remain with no new lesions appearing for 24–48 hours, the risk of spreading infection becomes very low. This usually happens around 7–10 days after the rash starts.
Since your illness started on 26 Feb and you completed antiviral treatment, by around 9th March you are likely close to the non-contagious stage, provided no new blisters are appearing.
However, for extra safety—especially since you have a baby at home—it is better to avoid close contact until all lesions have crusted over.
If you are unsure about the stage of healing, a quick clinical review can help confirm when it is safe to resume normal contact. You may book an online consultation with me for proper assessment and guidance.
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You may please be isolated till all lesions are gone.Stay hydrated Eat healthy be safe.
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Let them fall over. Dnt take risk.
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You can go out once all lesions are crusted and dry. Usually safe after 10 days from rash onset.
Make sure no new rash is appearing.
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Once scabs are formed ,u r no more infective so no need of further isolation
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Dr. Koushik
MBBS
4 yrs exp
Karimnagar
I understand your concern. However, giving specific medical advice without a proper evaluation may not be safe or accurate. A brief consultation will allow me to understand your symptoms, medical history, and any reports you may have, so I can guide you properly. Please feel free to consult me here and I’ll be glad to assist you.
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Dr. Saarika
General Physician
4 yrs exp
Chennai
If the treatment course for Chickenpox is completed and all lesions have scabbed over, the patient is usually no longer contagious.
Isolation:
Isolation is generally required until all blisters dry and form crusts (usually about 5–7 days from rash onset).
If no new lesions are appearing and all have crusted, strict isolation is usually not necessary.
Health Tips
Precautions:
Avoid close contact with pregnant women, newborns, elderly, or immunocompromised persons for a few more days if possible.
Maintain good hygiene and hand washing.
Do not scratch the scabs to prevent infection and scarring.
Keep the skin clean and dry
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Dr. Sajid Ali
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Kanpur
Better to stay isolated
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhansi
Kindly do connect and consult
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Dr. Ashok Bansode
Pulmonologist
21 yrs exp
Pune
Nothing to worry
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Dr. Anmol Kudal
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Nashik
If all the lesions are dried out with crust and no new lesions then your are not contagious
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Dr. Kamal Kumar
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rewari
Dear Patient,
In chickenpox, a person is contagious from 1–2 days before rash appears until all lesions have crusted (scabbed over).
You do not need to wait for scabs to completely fall off.
If:
• No new rashes for 48 hours
• All lesions are dry and crusted
By around 10 days (after 9th March), most patients are no longer infectious, provided the above conditions are met.
Regarding your baby:
If the baby is very young or not vaccinated yet, extra caution is reasonable. But once all lesions are crusted, risk of transmission becomes very low.
If any fresh fluid-filled blisters appear, continue isolation.
You can resume normal contact once fully crusted.
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Dr. Manjot Kaur
General Physician
3 yrs exp
Gurgaon
You should be under isolation till all the scabs are shed off
Next Steps
Wait for another couple of days and make sure your child is vaccinated against it.
Health Tips
Always good to consult with your physical physician once at the end of isolation
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Ravi Kumar Nadella
General Physician
18 yrs exp
Hyderabad
After March 9
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Dr. Suraj Sharma
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Jaipur
Do consult
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Isolate till lesions crust
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