Menu Close

Chickenpox virus (Varicellovirus)

A family visited rarely

The chickenpox virus (herpes zoster) is an enveloped DNA virus which is transmitted by person-to-person contact. It is a virus from the Herpesviridae family, a family that includes many viruses that are harmful to health, including the Epstein-Barr virus1, Kaposi’s sarcoma2 virus and Herpes simplex3 virus, for example.

The same virus for two diseases: chickenpox and shingles.

Le virus de la varicelle (herpĂšs zoster) cause deux maladies bien diffĂ©rentes. La varicelle s’observe lors de l’infection initiale, avec des vĂ©sicules prĂ©sentes sur la peau au niveau de l’entier du corps. AprĂšs une phase de latence4 d’une durĂ©e variable, gĂ©nĂ©ralement de plusieurs annĂ©es, des rĂ©activations de l’infection virale peuvent survenir. Ces rĂ©activations se font alors Ă  partir des nerfs sensitifs en respectant une zone innervĂ©e (dermatome). Cette rĂ©activation cause la maladie appelĂ©e « zona », en raison de la zone bien dĂ©limitĂ©e dans lesquelles se dĂ©veloppent les vĂ©sicules.
Very contagious, chickenpox presents a problem especially in pregnant women and in immunosuppressed persons. As with many other viruses, vaccination is available and helps limit transmission.