Chickenpox (Varicella) in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Chickenpox (also called varicella) is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the varicella‑zoster virus. While it usually causes a mild illness in children, it can be serious for adults, pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems.

In Grand Rapids and across Kent County, chickenpox is a reportable disease. Local healthcare providers, including Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health, work closely with the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health to monitor and control outbreaks.

Cold Michigan winters and long indoor periods can increase the spread of respiratory viruses like chickenpox, especially in schools, daycares, and long‑term care facilities.

Who Is at Risk of Chickenpox?

Anyone who has never had chickenpox and has not been vaccinated is at risk of infection. Higher‑risk groups for serious illness include:

  • Pregnant women who are not immune
  • Newborn babies
  • Adults (especially over age 20)
  • People with weakened immune systems (for example, from cancer treatment, HIV, or immune‑suppressing medications)
  • People with chronic health conditions

If you live in the Grand Rapids area and are unsure about your immunity, your doctor can order a blood test to check for varicella antibodies.

Symptoms of Chickenpox

Symptoms usually appear 10–21 days (2–3 weeks) after exposure to the virus.

Common symptoms include:

  • Low‑grade fever
  • Headache
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Feeling generally unwell (fatigue, body aches)
  • Characteristic skin rash

The Chickenpox Rash

The rash typically:

  • Starts as small red bumps that turn into fluid‑filled blisters
  • Appears on the trunk, face, scalp, arms, and legs
  • Can affect the mouth, eyelids, or genital area
  • Is usually very itchy
  • Blisters burst and scab over in about 5 days
  • May leave scars, especially if scratched or infected

Most healthy children in Grand Rapids will have a mild illness and recover at home. However, adults and high‑risk groups are more likely to develop complications.

Possible Complications of Chickenpox

While many cases are mild, chickenpox can lead to serious complications, including:

  • Skin infection (cellulitis)
  • Pneumonia (lung infection and inflammation)
  • Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
  • Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
  • Dehydration
  • Very rarely, chickenpox can be fatal

If you or your child in Grand Rapids develops trouble breathing, confusion, severe headache, stiff neck, persistent high fever, or appears very unwell, seek urgent medical care at a local emergency department (e.g., Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids).

Chickenpox and Shingles

After a person recovers from chickenpox, the varicella‑zoster virus does not leave the body. Instead, it becomes inactive (dormant) in nerve cells.

When the Virus Reactivates: Shingles

Later in life, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles (herpes zoster).

Symptoms of shingles include:

  • A painful, burning, or tingling rash on one side of the body or face
  • Clusters of blisters that may break and crust over
  • Localized pain that can be severe

One in three adults who have had chickenpox will develop shingles in their lifetime. The risk and severity of shingles increase with age.

People with shingles should:

  • Avoid contact with people at higher risk of serious illness from chickenpox (pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems)
  • Cover the rash and keep blisters clean and dry

Someone who is not immune to chickenpox can get chickenpox (not shingles) if they come into contact with the blister fluid of a person with shingles.

Antiviral medications and pain relief may be prescribed by your Grand Rapids healthcare provider to shorten the illness and reduce pain.

How Chickenpox Spreads

Chickenpox is highly contagious and spreads easily in households, schools, childcare centers, and workplaces in the Grand Rapids area.

The virus spreads by:

  • Breathing in tiny droplets from an infected person who coughs, sneezes, or talks
  • Touching the fluid from chickenpox or shingles blisters, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes

When Is a Person Contagious?

People with chickenpox are infectious from:

  • 2 days before the rash appears
  • Until all blisters have crusted (scabbed) over

Blisters that have completely scabbed do not spread infection.

Chickenpox in Pregnancy

Most pregnant women in Michigan have natural or vaccine‑induced immunity to chickenpox. However, if a pregnant woman is not immune and becomes infected, she can develop severe illness and the baby can be affected.

Possible Complications in Pregnancy

For the mother:

  • Severe pneumonia
  • Hepatitis
  • Encephalitis

For the baby (especially if infection occurs in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy):

  • Skin abnormalities
  • Problems with arms and legs
  • Eye abnormalities
  • Brain and nervous system problems
  • Other birth defects

If chickenpox occurs shortly before or after birth, the newborn is at risk of severe infection and complications.

Planning Pregnancy in Grand Rapids

If you are planning a pregnancy:

  • Talk to your GP or OB/GYN in Grand Rapids about your vaccination history
  • A blood test can check if you are immune
  • If you are not pregnant and not immune, you should receive two doses of the chickenpox vaccine, given at least 4 weeks apart, before becoming pregnant

Important: Vaccination During Pregnancy

  • Pregnant women cannot receive the chickenpox vaccine.
  • If you are pregnant, not immune, and exposed to chickenpox, contact your doctor, midwife, or hospital in Grand Rapids as soon as possible.
  • You may be offered an injection of varicella‑zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) to reduce the risk of severe illness. This is usually given within 4 days (and up to 10 days) of exposure.

Diagnosis of Chickenpox

Chickenpox is usually diagnosed based on:

  • Your symptoms and rash
  • Your exposure history

To confirm the diagnosis, your Grand Rapids healthcare provider may:

  • Take a sample of blister fluid for laboratory testing
  • Order a blood test to check for immunity or recent infection

Because chickenpox is a notifiable disease in Michigan, doctors report confirmed cases to state and local public health authorities, including the Kent County Health Department.

Treatment of Chickenpox

Most healthy children and adults can be treated at home.

Home Care

You can relieve symptoms and help prevent complications by:

  • Resting
  • Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
  • Using paracetamol (acetaminophen) to reduce fever (follow package directions or your doctor’s advice)
  • Using calamine lotion or other soothing creams to reduce itching
  • Taking colloidal oatmeal baths to help calm itchy skin
  • Wearing mittens or socks on hands (especially for babies and young children) to reduce scratching and scarring
  • Keeping fingernails short and clean to lower the risk of skin infection

If you or your child has eczema or another skin condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist in Grand Rapids about safe creams or medications to use.

When Antiviral Medication Is Needed

Antiviral medications may be prescribed for:

  • People with severe illness
  • Adults, especially if treatment can start within 24 hours of rash onset
  • Pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems

Some patients may require hospital admission at facilities such as Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids for close monitoring and treatment.

Preventing the Spread of Chickenpox in Grand Rapids

People with chickenpox should avoid contact with others, especially:

  • Newborn babies
  • Pregnant women
  • People with weakened immune systems
  • Elderly residents in long‑term care

Parents, guardians, and caregivers should:

  • Inform the school, preschool, or childcare center if a child has chickenpox
  • Keep children home until all blisters have scabbed over

This helps protect classmates, teachers, and staff, and allows local public health teams to advise on any necessary follow‑up.

Chickenpox Vaccination in Grand Rapids, MI

Why Vaccination Matters

Vaccination is the best way to prevent chickenpox and reduce the risk of severe illness, complications, and community outbreaks.

Benefits of chickenpox vaccination:

  • Protects you and your family from infection
  • Leads to milder illness if breakthrough chickenpox occurs
  • Helps protect vulnerable people who cannot be vaccinated (herd immunity)
  • Reduces school and work absences in the Grand Rapids community

Chickenpox Vaccination for Children

In the United States, all children are recommended to receive two doses of a varicella‑containing vaccine.

  • The first dose is often given as part of the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) combination vaccine
  • The second dose is given at least 4 weeks after the first dose, usually in early childhood

Even if your child has had a mild case of chickenpox, the MMRV vaccine can still be safely given as scheduled.

Talk to your child’s pediatrician or a local clinic in Grand Rapids (for example, Spectrum Health Pediatrics or Metro Health clinics) about your child’s immunization schedule.

Vaccination for Adolescents and Adults

Adolescents (14 years and older) and adults who are not immune are recommended to receive:

  • Two doses of chickenpox vaccine, at least 4 weeks apart

For people 14 years and older, the combination MMRV vaccine is not recommended. Instead, a stand‑alone varicella vaccine is used.

People who have:

  • A history of chickenpox, or
  • Blood tests showing immunity

may not need vaccination. Your doctor can help determine if you are protected.

Catch‑Up Vaccination and High‑Risk Occupations

Free or low‑cost catch‑up vaccination programs may be available for children, teens, and certain adults. Check with:

  • Your GP or pediatrician
  • The Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health clinics

Vaccination is strongly recommended for people working in:

  • Healthcare (hospitals, clinics, long‑term care facilities)
  • Childhood education and childcare (schools, daycares, preschools)
  • Long‑term care and assisted living facilities

These workers are encouraged to have two doses of chickenpox vaccine if they are not immune, to protect themselves and those they care for.

Protecting the Grand Rapids Community: Herd Immunity

High vaccination coverage in Grand Rapids and Kent County helps create herd immunity. This means:

  • The virus has fewer opportunities to spread
  • Vulnerable people who cannot be vaccinated (very young infants, people with certain medical conditions) are better protected

You can help protect your community by:

  • Ensuring you and your family are fully vaccinated
  • Keeping children with chickenpox home from school, preschool, or childcare until all blisters have scabbed
  • Avoiding close contact with high‑risk individuals if you or a family member has chickenpox or shingles
  • Seeking post‑exposure vaccination within 5 days of exposure if you are not immune

Post‑Exposure Management

If you are exposed to someone with chickenpox or shingles and you are not immune:

  • Contact your doctor or local clinic in Grand Rapids as soon as possible
  • You may be offered:
    • Varicella vaccine (ideally within 3–5 days of exposure) to reduce the chance and severity of illness
    • Varicella‑zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) if you are at high risk of severe disease (pregnant, newborn, or immunocompromised)

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

In an emergency (trouble breathing, confusion, severe illness), call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department, such as:

  • Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health facilities in the region

For non‑emergency care and vaccination:

  • Your GP / family doctor
  • Pediatricians and family medicine clinics across Grand Rapids
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health clinics
  • Local pharmacies that offer vaccinations

You can also call nurse advice lines provided by local health systems (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health, Metro Health, Mercy Health) for 24/7 guidance.

Key Points About Chickenpox in Grand Rapids

  • Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly infectious viral infection caused by the varicella‑zoster virus.
  • Symptoms usually appear 2–3 weeks after exposure and include fever, headache, runny nose, sore throat, and an itchy blistering rash.
  • Most healthy children have a mild illness, but adults, pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of serious complications.
  • After infection, the virus can remain dormant and reappear later in life as shingles.
  • Chickenpox spreads easily through respiratory droplets and direct contact with blister fluid.
  • Vaccination with two doses of varicella‑containing vaccine is the best protection and is recommended for children, adolescents, and non‑immune adults.
  • Keeping sick children home until all blisters have scabbed, and ensuring high vaccination rates in Grand Rapids, helps protect the entire community.

If you have questions about chickenpox or vaccination, speak with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider or contact the Kent County Health Department for local guidance and resources.