Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. It is part of the herpes virus group. VZV is very contagious and causes a red, itchy rash. This also leads to blisters that form within a few days.

After chickenpox symptoms resolve, the virus remains in your body in a latent state, meaning the virus is alive but does not cause any symptoms. This latent virus can later cause shingles (herpes zoster virus) if it is reactivated. Fortunately, you can prevent chickenpox zoster virus with a vaccine.

The 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 chickenpox-zoster may include:

• Faintness: I generally don’t feel well
• Fever: Up to 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius) for three days

Chickenpox symptoms usually last about 4 to 7 days. Once cured of chickenpox, you are immune to the virus. However, the varicella-zoster virus lives in your body and can reactivate over time. shingles in the future.

The varicella zoster virus infects the body when you are exposed to it by someone who is already infected. This virus is very contagious and spreads easily in communities that are not immune to it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that when a person has chickenpox, about 90% of unvaccinated members of their household will also get it.

Chickenpox zoster is spread by direct contact and inhalation. If you are near someone with chickenpox, you could catch the virus by touching their rash or breathing the same air. Chickenpox is contagious until you have no new rash for at least 24 hours.

The varicella zoster virus takes about 10 to 21 days to develop after exposure. If you are exposed to chickenpox, you may not develop any symptoms for 2 to 3 weeks.

Getting vaccinated can help prevent chickenpox. Although it is still possible to get chickenpox after receiving the vaccine, it is much less likely. If a vaccinated person gets chickenpox, the virus is usually much less serious.

Your doctor usually diagnoses varicella zoster virus based on its symptoms. Chickenpox causes redness, itching, blister-like rash. Shingles causes a painful, blister-like rash that appears on the side of the torso.

It is possible to determine if you are immune to VZV with a blood test. Your doctor 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 illness. The varicella zoster virus lives in your body after you recover from chickenpox and is incurable. It may still reactivate as shingles in the future.

Healthy children who get chickenpox usually don’t need treatment other than rest. People at high risk of developing serious illness may need medical treatment.

People in the high-risk group include:

• Adolescents and adults over 12 years old
• People with a weakened immune system
• Those who have chronic pulmonary problems (lungs)
• People taking long-term aspirin therapy
• Pregnant people
• People who take corticosteroids regularly, because these medications can suppress your body’s natural immune response.
• Young infants who have not yet been vaccinated

Varicella-zoster immunoglobulin

People who are unvaccinated and considered at high risk of severe illness may benefit from taking a medicine called varicella zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG). This treatment can prevent chickenpox-zoster from causing chickenpox after exposure.

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

Acyclovir

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

Acyclovir may not be safe for pregnant women. Your healthcare professional can help you decide 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 the vaccine became available. The CDC estimates that about 4 million people contracted chickenpox in the early 1990s. Once the vaccine became available in 1995, cases fell by 97%. For people under 20, hospitalizations fell by 97% and deaths by 99%.

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

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

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

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

Shingles

The varicella zoster virus can lie dormant in your body for years after the initial infection. The virus can reactivate later in life in those who have had chickenpox, leading to shingles (herpes zoster). Reactivation usually occurs when your immune system is weak, which can occur due to aging, stress, or immunosuppressive conditions.

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

Reactivation of VZV can cause nerve inflammation, leading to acute pain even after the rash has gone, a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia can last from a few days to several years, depending on the person’s age and general health.

Skin infections

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

A bacterial skin infection can lead to:

• Sepsis: 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 the joints

Other possible complications

Adults who contract chickenpox are at risk of developing:

• Viral pneumonia: Lung infection
• Cerebellar ataxia: Lack of muscle control
• Encephalitis: Brain infection and swelling
• Vasculopathy: Infection in the arteries
• Neuralgia: Pain after the rash heals
• Guillain-Barré syndrome: Occurs when the immune system attacks the nervous system

Varicella zoster virus is the virus that causes chickenpox and is part of the herpes virus group. This virus is preventable in young people with a two-dose vaccine. Symptoms of chickenpox include fever, malaise, and a red, itchy, blister-like rash. Shingles usually presents as a painful rash covered with blisters and scabs.

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