Chickenpox Guide: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Nursing Care .
Comprehensive Guide to Chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster Virus). Varicella-Zoster Virus rash progression showing papules, clear blisters, and crusted scabs. 1. What is Chickenpox (Varicella)? Chickenpox , or varicella, is a highly contagious disease caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), a member of the herpes virus family . While often considered a mild childhood illness, it can cause severe complications in infants, adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. The disease is characterized by a distinctive, itchy, blister-like rash that appears all over the body. 2. Cause, Transmission, and Contagiousness. The Virus. The culprit is the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV). Once a person has recovered from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissue and can reactivate years later, causing a painful condition known as shingles (...