Most children will catch chickenpox at some point. It can also occur in adults who didn’t have it when they were a child.

It’s usually mild and clears up in a week or so, but it can be dangerous for some people, such as pregnant women, newborn babies and people with a weakened immune system.

Chickenpox is caused by a virus that spreads very easily to people who haven’t had it before. If you have had it before, you’ll usually be immune for life.

The infection is spread in the fluid found in chickenpox blisters and the droplets in the coughs or sneezes of someone with the infection.

Most people with chickenpox will make a full recovery. But occasionally serious complications can occur.