Health Information
Antiviral Medicines for Chickenpox
How Well It Works
Antiviral medicines may shorten the length of illness from chickenpox, cause fewer blisters to form, and help blisters heal faster. They work best if taken right after the first signs of chickenpox rash appear.
It is not known whether antiviral medicines reduce the chance of complications of chickenpox. Antiviral medicines may reduce the complications of chickenpox, such as Reference varicella pneumonia, in people who have impaired immune systems.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: May 14, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Reference Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MD, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics |
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