The incubation period is about 2 weeks, so if you are going to get it, it will happen about 2 weeks after you have been exposed to it. Unfortunately chicken pox is contagious before the rash appears so you can catch it from someone before they even know that they have it.
It sometimes starts with fever and malaise, and then a few days later the rash appears. It is a generalised rash with fluid filled vesicles that eventually crust over. You are contagious until all the bumps are dried up, so please don't go to work or school until then.
You can take tylenol or motrin for the pain and fever and histal or benadryl for the itching. You can bathe as usual and use calamine or caladryl for the itching. Bathing with tamarind or sage leaves is said to help.
There is an anti-viral medication that your doctor can give you to help make the episode less severe if it is given in the first few days of the rash appearing, but you will still get better if you don't take the medication.