Your health professional may examine you or your child to confirm a
diagnosis of
chickenpox and to look for signs of complications.
During a physical examination, the health professional will check:
- Skin, for chickenpox rash and also for signs of
bruising or skin infection. Both bruising of the skin without a known injury
and skin infection are possible signs of complications from
chickenpox.
- Eyes, for sores. If sores are found on the clear
covering of the eye (cornea), you may need treatment with a special eye
ointment.
- Nervous system, for signs of inflammation of the brain
(encephalitis) or the tissues surrounding it and the
spinal cord (meningitis).
- Lungs, for signs of
pneumonia.
- Joints, for signs of
arthritis.
If complications are present, you or your child may need closer
watching and special treatment. Adults with chickenpox may need to be admitted
to a hospital.
