Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. It is a member of the herpes virus group. VZV is very contagious and causes a red, itchy rash. It also causes blisters that crust over within a few days.

Once chickenpox symptoms resolve, the virus remains latent in your body; This means the virus is alive but does not cause symptoms. This latent virus can then cause shingles (herpes zoster virus) when reactivated. Fortunately, you can prevent the varicella-zoster virus with a vaccine.

Varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox. The main symptom is a red, itchy rash. This rash usually starts on the chest, back, and face and then spreads to other parts of the body.

Other symptoms of varicella-zoster may include:

• Malaise: I don’t feel well in general
• Fire: Up to 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius) for three days

Chickenpox symptoms usually last about 4-7 days. Once you recover from chickenpox, you are immune to the virus. However, the varicella-zoster virus lives in your body and can be reactivated in the following situations: shingles in the future.

Varicella-zoster virus is transmitted to the body when an already infected person is exposed to the virus. This virus is highly contagious and spreads easily in populations that are not immune to it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that when one person gets chickenpox, approximately 90% of their unvaccinated household will also get chickenpox.

Varicella-zoster is spread through direct contact and inhalation. If you are around someone who has chickenpox, you can catch the virus by touching their rash or breathing the same air. Chickenpox is contagious until no new rash lesions appear for at least 24 hours.

It takes approximately 10-21 days for the varicella-zoster virus to develop after exposure. If you are exposed to chickenpox, you may not develop symptoms for 2-3 weeks.

Getting vaccinated can help prevent you from getting chickenpox. Although it is still possible to get chickenpox after vaccination, the chance is much less. If a vaccinated person gets chickenpox, the virus is usually much less severe.

Your healthcare provider usually diagnoses varicella-zoster virus based on its symptoms. Chickenpox causes a red, itchy appearance. blister-like rash. Shingles causes a painful, blister-like rash that appears on the side of the trunk.

It is possible to determine whether you are immune to VZV with a blood test. Your healthcare provider can test your blood for antibodies to the virus using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) blood test.

The goal of varicella-zoster treatment is to improve symptoms and shorten the duration of the disease. Varicella-zoster virus lives in your body after you recover from chickenpox and cannot be treated. It can still reactivate as shingles in the future.

Healthy children with chickenpox usually do not need treatment beyond rest. People at high risk of developing serious disease may need medical treatment.

People in the high-risk group include:

• Adolescents and adults over 12 years of age
• People immune system weakened
• Those with chronic pulmonary (lung) problems
• People on long-term aspirin therapy
• pregnant people
• People who regularly take corticosteroids, as these drugs can suppress your body’s natural immune response
• Young babies who have not yet been vaccinated

Varicella-Zoster Immune Globulin

People who have not been vaccinated and are considered to be at high risk for serious disease may benefit from taking a medication called varicella-zoster immune globulin (VZIG). This treatment can prevent varicella-zoster from causing chickenpox after exposure.

Varicella-zoster immune globulin, which goes by the brand name VariZIG, can be given for up to 10 days after exposure to the disease. It is used in people who have not been vaccinated and who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.

acyclovir

Zovirax (acyclovir) is an antiviral medication that may prevent serious illness in unvaccinated people when taken within the first 24 hours of symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend acyclovir if you are in a high-risk group or have developed serious complications such as pneumonia.

Acyclovir may not be safe for pregnant people. Your healthcare provider can help you determine if this is right for you.

Although varicella-zoster virus is a serious infection that can cause severe symptoms in some people, the virus can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.

Chickenpox was a common infection in the United States until a vaccine was discovered. The CDC estimates that approximately 4 million people contracted chickenpox in the early 1990s. When the vaccine became available in 1995, cases dropped by 97%. Among people under 20, hospitalizations decreased by 97% and deaths decreased by 99%.

Two doses of chickenpox vaccine are recommended for most healthy children. Children with weak immune systems should not be vaccinated against chickenpox. The two chickenpox vaccines available in the United States include:

• Varivax: Chickenpox vaccine available for ages 12 months and older
• ProQuad: Combination of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and chickenpox vaccine for children 12 months to 12 years of age

Most healthy children with chickenpox recover on their own without any problems. Certain groups are at high risk of developing serious complications from varicella-zoster virus. Pregnant people, elderly people, young babies, and anyone with a compromised immune system are at risk of complications.

Chickenpox is especially dangerous for pregnant women and their babies. Babies of people who had chickenpox during pregnancy may develop congenital chickenpox, a syndrome that causes abnormal development of the brain, eyes, and skin.

shingles

Varicella-zoster virus can remain dormant in your body for years after initial infection. The virus can be reactivated later in life in people who have had chickenpox. causing shingles (herpes zoster). Reactivation typically occurs when your immune system is weak; This may occur due to aging, stress, or conditions that suppress the immune system.

Shingles presents as a painful rash that usually appears on one side of the body or on the face. It is characterized by clusters of blisters that follow the path of the affected nerves.

Reactivation of VZV can cause nerve inflammation and lead to sharp pain even after the rash has resolved; This condition is known as postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia can last from days to years, depending on the person’s age and general health.

Skin Infections

Children and adults can develop a bacterial skin infection from scratching after chickenpox, which can expose the skin to bacteria and infection.

Bacterial infection of the skin can lead to:

• Septicemia: blood infection
• Toxic shock syndrome: bacterial infection in the blood
• Necrotizing fasciitis: Skin infection leading to tissue death
• Osteomyelitis: bone infection
• bacterial pneumonia: lung infection
• Septic arthritis: infection in joints

Other Possible Complications

Adults who contract chickenpox are at risk of developing the following conditions:

• viral pneumonia: lung infection
• Cerebellar ataxia: Lack of muscle control
• Encephalitis: Infection and swelling in the brain
• Vasculopathy: infection in the arteries
• Neuralgia: Pain after the rash has healed
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Occurs when the immune system attacks the nervous system

Varicella-zoster virus is the virus that causes chickenpox and is a member of the herpes virus group. This virus can be prevented in young people with a two-dose vaccine. Symptoms of chickenpox include fever, malaise, and a red, itchy, blister-like rash. Shingles usually appears as a painful rash that develops blisters and crusts.

People who recover from chickenpox may later develop shingles because the varicella-zoster virus lives in the body and cannot be completely cured.