What causes varicella (or chickenpox)?
The disease is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, or VZV, a member of the herpes family of viruses. As the name implies, it causes varicella, or chickenpox, as well as “zoster,” or shingles. After a recovery from varicella, the virus remains in some of the body’s nerve cells in an inactive, or “latent,” state. After many decades, the virus may become active again, travel down the nerve cells, and produce a rash on the skin. This rash is similar to the rash produced by varicella; however, the rash in zoster occurs in one segment of the skin, on one side of the body, rather than all over the body, as in varicella. Occasionally, zoster occurs in children, but it most commonly occurs in older adults. top Who gets varicella (or chickenpox)? Varicella occurs in children. Fewer than two percent of the cases occur in adults. About half of all children will have had varicella by the time that they enter school. Varicella can occur early in infancy, and it can occur in a newborn if the mother
