Varicella zoster virus (VSV)

known to infect humans and vertebrates.

can cause two diseases: chickenpox (varicella)

and shingles (herpes zoster).

commonly causes chickenpox
in children,
teens and young adults and herpes zoster
(shingles) in adults and rarely in children.

Symptoms
Initial symptoms include sudden onset of slight

fever and feeling tired and weak.

Painful blisters on the tongue and ear along with
one sided facial weakness and hearing loss.
May appear on the scalp, armpits, trunk and even
on the eyelids and in the mouth.
The disease is usually more serious in young infants
and adults than in children.
Symptoms commonly appear 14 to 16 days (range
of ten to 21 days) after exposure to someone with
chickenpox or herpes zoster (shingles).

High Risk Groups

Immunocompromised children and adults
Newborns of mothers with varicella shortly

before or after delivery

Premature infants
Infants less than one year of age
Adults without evidence of immunity
Pregnant women

Treatment
Treated by a number of drugs and therapeutic

agents including acyclovir for the chicken pox.

People infected with the disease should remain
home until the blisters become dry and crusted. It
is very important to avoid exposing non-immune
newborns and persons with a weakened immune
system to chickenpox.
Avoid exposing others who are susceptible.
The chickenpox vaccine (Varivax).
Avoid contact with anyone who has chickenpox.

Varicella zoster virus(VSV)