US Medical Term · conditions
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Varicela
What it means
Chickenpox, also called varicella, is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Most cases are in children under age 15, but older children and adults can get it, and it spreads very easily from one person to another. The classic symptom is an uncomfortable, itchy rash that turns into fluid-filled blisters and eventually into scabs. It usually shows up on the face, chest, and back and then spreads to the rest of the body. Other symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Chickenpox is usually mild and lasts 5 to 10 days, but it can sometimes cause serious problems. Once a person catches chickenpox, the virus usually stays in the body and can cause shingles in adults. A chickenpox vaccine can help prevent most cases.
Chickenpox (Varicella) in Spanish
- Spanish term
- Varicela
- Gender and article
- feminine: la varicela
- Pronunciation
- bah-ree-SEH-lah
| Other Spanish terms | Where it is used | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lechina | Venezuela | The Spanish dictionary labels lechina as a word of Venezuela and defines it with the single word varicela. |
Varicela is the word used by MedlinePlus en español and by the Spanish dictionary, and it is feminine: la varicela. The dictionary defines it as a contagious, acute illness with fever (enfermedad contagiosa, aguda y febril) marked by an eruption. It also has an entry for lechina, labelled as a word of Venezuela and defined simply as varicela. The virus is el virus de la varicela zoster on the MedlinePlus en español topic page and el virus varicela zóster in its encyclopedia article.
For the rash, MedlinePlus en español uses erupción and sarpullido, with picazón (itching), ampollas (blisters) and costras (scabs). The vaccine is la vacuna contra la varicela. For shingles, which the virus can cause in adults, the topic page writes culebrilla and the encyclopedia writes zóster (culebrilla). The encyclopedia's sentence about when to seek care begins Comuníquese con su proveedor si piensa que su hijo tiene varicela: contact your provider if you think your child has chickenpox.
Phrases for an appointment
What a patient or a clinician might say, in English and Spanish:
| Who | English | Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| Patient | My daughter has a fever and an itchy rash on her face and chest. | Mi hija tiene fiebre y una erupción con picazón en la cara y el pecho. |
| Clinician | Has the rash turned into blisters filled with fluid? | ¿La erupción se ha convertido en ampollas con líquido? |
| Patient | Yes, and some of the blisters already have scabs. | Sí, y algunas ampollas ya tienen costras. |
| Clinician | Has she had the chickenpox vaccine? | ¿Ha recibido ella la vacuna contra la varicela? |
| Clinician | Has she been near anyone who had chickenpox in the last three weeks? | ¿Ha estado ella cerca de alguien que tuvo varicela en las últimas tres semanas? |
| Patient | A girl in her class had it. When can my daughter go back to school? | Una niña de su clase la tuvo. ¿Cuándo puede mi hija volver a la escuela? |
| Clinician | Is anyone at home pregnant, or is there a baby under one year old? | ¿Hay alguna persona embarazada en casa, o un bebé menor de un año? |
| Patient | I never had chickenpox in childhood. Can I catch it from her? | Nunca tuve varicela en la infancia. ¿Puedo contagiarme de ella? |
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Chickenpox (Varicella) |
| Spanish (Español) | Varicela |
| Chinese (中文) | 水痘 |
| Korean (한국어) | 수두 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Thủy đậu |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Bulutong-tubig (Varicella) |
| Portuguese (Português) | Catapora (Varicela) |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | อีสุกอีใส |
| Japanese (日本語) | 水痘（みずぼうそう） |
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
ICD-10-CM code: B01 → Varicella [chickenpox]Related terms
Your right to an interpreter in the United States
If English is not your primary language and you have difficulty communicating in English, you may need an interpreter or a translated document when you visit a doctor or dentist, go to the emergency room or pick up a prescription. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights states that two federal laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, require programs that receive its funding to provide language access services free of charge.
You can ask when you make the appointment or at the front desk: "I need an interpreter, please." «Necesito un intérprete, por favor.»
More terms: Skin, hair and nails
All terms in this area: Skin, hair and nails — Piel, cabello y uñas
Sources
- Chickenpox — MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
- Varicela — MedlinePlus en español, Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina
- Varicela (Enciclopedia médica) — MedlinePlus en español, Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina
- varicela — Diccionario de la lengua española — Real Academia Española / ASALE
- lechina — Diccionario de la lengua española — Real Academia Española / ASALE
- Limited English Proficiency (LEP): Your Right to Language Assistance Services — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights
This page is a language reference. It is not medical advice.
Last reviewed: October 8, 2026