Varicella-zoster virus
Varicella-zoster virus
Varicella-zoster virus (pronounced vuh-rih-SELL-uh ZOS-ter), often abbreviated as VZV, is a highly contagious virus that causes two distinct diseases: chickenpox and shingles.
Etymology
The term "varicella" is derived from the Latin word varicellae, meaning "smallpox", due to the similarity in symptoms. "Zoster" is derived from the Greek word zoster, meaning "girdle" or "belt", which describes the characteristic rash of shingles.
Description
VZV is a member of the Herpesviridae family, which includes other viruses such as herpes simplex virus and Epstein-Barr virus. It is a double-stranded DNA virus that primarily infects the nervous system.
The virus is transmitted through direct contact with the rash or through airborne droplets from an infected person's respiratory tract. After the initial infection, the virus remains dormant in the body's nerve cells and can reactivate years later, causing shingles.
Related Terms
- Chickenpox: A highly contagious disease caused by the initial infection with VZV. It is characterized by a widespread itchy rash, fever, and fatigue.
- Shingles: Also known as herpes zoster, it is a painful rash caused by the reactivation of dormant VZV in the body.
- Herpesviridae: A large family of DNA viruses that cause diseases in humans and animals.
- Herpes simplex virus: A type of herpesvirus that causes oral and genital herpes.
- Epstein-Barr virus: Another type of herpesvirus that causes infectious mononucleosis.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Varicella-zoster virus
- Wikipedia's article - Varicella-zoster virus
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