The age that kids get chicken pox is often under 10 years old or between 5 and 6 years old.
I had chicken pox as a kid when I was 5 and my brother had chicken pox when he was 6.
My 8 year old son had chicken pox when he was 5 so it can vary from child to child.
Kids get chickenpox by catching the varicella zoster virus through direct contact with another infected child or through the air from coughing or sneezing.
The Varicella zoster virus which causes chickenpox is also a form of the herpes virus.
Chickenpox is often transmitted from person to person or child to child by directly touching the blisters, saliva or mucus of an infected child or other person.
The chickenpox virus can also be transmitted through the air by coughing and sneezing.
Chickenpox is most common in children under the age of 10 although children can catch chickenpox above 10 years of age.
Most children usually catch chickenpox in winter and spring, particularly between March and May.
Chickenpox, particularly in early stages, can also sometimes be confused with herpes simplex, impetigo, insect bites, or scabies.
The early prodrome stage of shingles can also cause severe pain on one side of the lower back, chest, or abdomen before the rash appears.
Chickenpox eventually goes away on it's own within a few weeks or less.
Until the child has recovered from chickenpox they should stay home from school or daycare.
Some ways you can help your child recover from chickenpox include.
Having the child take a cool bath with added baking soda, aluminum acetate or uncooked oatmeal.
Using calamine lotion dabbed on the itchy spots.
Having the child eat a soft, bland diet if chickenpox sores form in the mouth.
And giving the child antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for itching.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for a mild fever.