The Facts
Chickenpox is a very common illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It's extremely contagious. The rash that it produces is usually harmless and goes away on its own. While you can get chickenpox at any age, 90% of cases occur before the age of 14. Anyone who's had the disease once is immune for life, although they can still get shingles, a painful skin rash caused when the varicella-zoster virus becomes active again, even many years after you've had chickenpox.
Chickenpox usually occurs in late winter and early spring. Since the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine, many children never get chickenpox.