Varicella-Zoster Virus

Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) is a virus that causes two illnesses: chickenpox and shingles. Chickenpox typically affects children, leading to an itchy rash and flu-like symptoms. Once a person has chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body and can reactivate later in life, causing shingles, which is a painful rash often accompanied by nerve pain. VZV is highly contagious, spreading easily through respiratory droplets or direct contact with the rash. Vaccination can prevent chickenpox and reduce the risk of shingles, contributing to public health efforts to control the virus's spread.