The varicella-zoster virus is a member of the herpes family. The virus causes two separate illnesses and is still referred to by separate terms. The primary infection that causes chickenpox is referred to as varicella; the reactivation of the...
Shingles is an intensely painful viral condition that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the herpes virus family and the same virus that causes chickenpox. The Mayo Clinic relays that when someone is exposed to this virus, it can...
Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and any other organisms that can cause illness. According the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in...
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease for people who have not been vaccinated. It is caused by the varicella virus and generally strikes children younger than 15. According to the Mayo Clinic, the signs and symptoms of chicken pox arrive in...
When a herpes virus infects a human, the immune system recognizes the invader and sets out to destroy it. To evade the immune system, the virus "hides out" inside the nervous system, where it establishes "latency," or a period of inactivity. Of...
Chickenpox is a common childhood illness. MayoClinic.com points out that chickenpox used to be a rite of passage for most children, but the use of the vaccine has reduced the frequency of the illness. The virus, varicella, infects children under...
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella virus and is sometimes referred to as varicella. It is an extremely contagious disease spread through the air by coughs or sneezes and can also be transmitted by touching chickenpox blisters and not washing...
Chicken pox is an illness resulting from the Varicella virus. This virus typically affects children and causes a fever and the appearance of multiple, red and itchy spots on the body. Varicella is also responsible for shingles, which is the result...
Valtrex (valacyclovir hydrochloride) is FDA approved for the treatment of herpes simplex (cold sores and genital herpes) and varicella zoster virus (chickenpox and shingles). It is an antiviral agent in a class called DNA polymerase inhibitors....
Chicken pox is a contagious disease caused by the varicella virus, which causes an itchy rash all over your body. Most people get chicken pox at least once if they have not been vaccinated. Chicken pox is usually not serious, especially in...
Hepatitis is the term used to indicate liver inflammation. Children with hepatitis often have other symptoms, such as pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, where the liver is located, and jaundice, a yellowish discoloration the skin....
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, or NINDS, 25 percent of adults eventually develop shingles, a condition characterized by reawakening of the virus that causes chicken pox within the nerve roots of the...
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful viral illness that occurs only in people who have had a case of chicken pox in the past. Varicella zoster, the virus that causes chicken pox, is never completely eliminated from the body....
Potassium plays a critical role in muscle and nerve functions. As an essential dietary mineral, you need small amounts of potassium daily to support health. Conditions affecting kidney functions and the immune system or certain prescription...
Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the varicella virus, with symptoms typically including an itchy, blister-like rash, fever and headache. While most cases occur in children under 15, adults who don't have immunity to the varicella...
Chickenpox is a common childhood disease that used to affect nearly everyone before they reached adulthood. "Chickenpox parties" were common during the second half of the 20th century, at which mothers would deliberately expose their children to...
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster or varicella virus, is a blistering rash derivative from a dormant virus associated with a previous case of the chickenpox. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and...
The virus varicella-zoster causes chickenpox. Spreading through direct contact or by airborne transmission of infected droplets, this highly contagious disease used to infect about 4 million American children per year, according to the Mayo...
Shingles, a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox, varicella-zoster, usually affects people over age 50. The varicella virus lies dormant in cells for many years after the original infection, but...
Chicken pox is caused by the highly contagious varicella-zoster virus. Spread through inhaling the virus after an infected person has coughed or sneezed, through direct contact with the virus shed from a chicken pox lesion, or through oral...
Chickenpox emerges after contracting the varicella virus directly from another infected person or through objects both of you have touched, according to MedlinePlus. Usually, symptoms of red itchy blisters appear two to three weeks after...
The liver is an important organ involved in the storage of sugars for the body's energy use. It also helps the body get rid of waste products and toxins, and manufactures proteins important in the body's immune response. When the liver is damaged,...
A rash is an area of skin irritation. It can be localized to small area of the skin or cover the entire body. In children, generalized rashes are very common, but are also concerning as they can indicate a serious medical condition, especially if...
Rashes are common skin eruptions that occur in children of all ages. Most rashes in children are benign, but there are some that require prompt medical attention. Rashes are described by their location, color, size, whether they are flat or raised...
Shingles is a blistering skin rash and can be very painful. Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella virus, the same one that causes chicken pox. The virus becomes dormant in the nerve cells after an outbreak from chicken...
Even though the throat is an unusual location for shingles, there are cases where this infection manifests in the throat causing a rash that is sensitive to touch and often tingles or itches. Also known as herpes zoster, the Center for Disease...
Skin disorders are common in children of all age groups. Most of these conditions are self-limited and can be treated with over-the-counter remedies. Occasionally, skin disorders can become severe and require medical attention. The most common...
Rashes are a common occurrence in children, but they can be a worrisome sight to parents. Most rashes in children are benign and will go away on their own, but some rashes require close examination and evaluation. Rashes that cover a child's body...
There are a number of skin disorders that can cause round, red blotches on the skin, such as rosacea, erythema multiforme, shingles, chickenpox or hives. Most rashes are not dangerous, but if you are suffering from a skin rash, you should have it...
Chickenpox are caused by the Varicella-Zoster virus, which is closely related to the herpes simplex viruses. Learn more about Varicella-Zoster virus in this health video.
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a viral disease leading to painful blisters or rashes to a local area on the body. Learn more about shingles in this health video.
