Chickenpox and School: When Should Children Stay Home?

Children should not go to school with chickenpox. Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is characterized by an itchy rash of small, fluid-filled blisters. Chickenpox can spread from person to person through direct contact with the rash or through the air by coughing or sneezing. Children with chickenpox should stay home from school until all of their blisters have crusted over and are no longer contagious. This usually takes about 7-10 days.