How does chicken pox start?

Chicken pox often begins with a headache, upset stomach, sore throat and a fever of 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit, according to KidsHealth. These symptoms, along with a general feeling of being unwell, may occur a couple of days before the chicken pox rash develops, notes the Mayo Clinic.

KidsHealth explains that the itchy chicken pox rash usually makes its initial appearance on the back, abdomen or face before spreading to all parts of the body. The rash starts as raised, pink or red bumps that develop into fluid-filled blisters that break and form scabs, according to the Mayo Clinic. New crops of bumps appear every few days during the course of the illness.