Chickenpox (Varicella) is a contagious viral disease
characterized by vesicular skin lesions, fever, mild fatigue
and general malaise. The primary infection with Varicella-
Zoster Virus (VZV) causes chickenpox. The varicellazoster
virus (VZV) is one of eight herpes viruses that
cause infections in humans. These viruses rapidly
proliferate, invade and destroy infected cells like other
herpes viruses and it is a double-stranded DNA virus that
is closely related to herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2.
The Varicella - Zoster Virus establish a latent infection in
nerve ganglions and later reoccur as shingles, also
known as Herpe Zoster that is characterized by a
localized vesicular rash and often associated with pain.
Elderly suffer more pain from Herpes Zoster than children
which can persist for more than 3 months. The virus has
a shorter survival time frame in the environment and the
incubation period is normally between 14 and 16 days
with exposure range of 10 and 21 days (NCIRS, 2009).