Symptoms usually start with fever, tiredness, and general malaise, followed by the classic itchy rash. The rash typically progresses from red spots to raised bumps, then to fluid-filled blisters, and finally crusts and scabs. New spots can continue to appear over several days, so different stages of lesions may be present at once. In most healthy children the illness resolves in about a week to ten days. Adults, pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe disease and should seek medical advice early.
