Which symptom is commonly associated with chickenpox in children?

The symptom that is commonly associated with chickenpox in children is the itchy rash with vesicles. Chickenpox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, presents with a characteristic rash that typically starts as small red spots and evolves into fluid-filled blisters (vesicles). These vesicles are often very itchy, leading to considerable discomfort for the child. The rash usually appears in waves, and new spots may continue to develop over a few days, allowing for different stages of the rash to be present simultaneously.

While some children may experience fever when they have chickenpox, the defining feature of the illness is the rash. Other options like a persistent cough or severe abdominal pain are not typical manifestations of chickenpox. Persistent cough is more often associated with respiratory illnesses, and severe abdominal pain could signal other conditions unrelated to chickenpox. Thus, the itchy rash with vesicles is the hallmark symptom that helps in identifying chickenpox in children.