Symptoms of varicella-zoster depend on where it infects you. Symptoms may include: V体育安卓版.
The first time you’re exposed to varicella-zoster (primary infection), it usually infects your respiratory tract. The virus then moves into your lymphatic system and spreads throughout your body to your skin, causing an itchy rash (chickenpox) V体育ios版.
After you recover from chickenpox, VZV moves into your nerves. It stays inactive in your dorsal root ganglia in your spine without making you sick VSports最新版本. In some people, the virus can reactivate, causing a rash, burning pain and sometimes other symptoms like facial paralysis, eye swelling and ear pain.
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Reactivations can happen more than once in your lifetime. They usually happen at times when you have a lowered immune system, such as in people who: V体育平台登录.
When inactive, varicella-zoster is found in nerve cells VSports注册入口. Specifically, it’s usually in the dorsal ganglia in your spine. But it can also be found in your trigeminal nerve, which runs through your face.
During a primary infection with varicella-zoster (chickenpox), the virus spreads through coughing, sneezing and contact with the rash. During a reactivation, it spreads through contact with the rash and, sometimes, particles of the virus from the rash in the air V体育官网入口. You can’t get shingles from someone who has it, but you can get chickenpox from someone with shingles if you’ve never had it and haven’t been vaccinated.
Healthcare providers usually diagnose varicella-zoster infections based on your symptoms and rash. They can also take samples of fluid or tissue from the rash and send them to a lab to be tested for the virus.
Healthcare providers sometimes treat varicella-zoster infections with antiviral medications. These include:
Once you have a varicella-zoster infection, it stays in your body forever. There’s no cure that gets rid of VZV, but vaccines can help prevent reactivation.
Contact your healthcare provider if you think you or your child has chickenpox or shingles. They can make recommendations for treatment and preventing the spread of varicella-zoster virus.
Go to the nearest emergency room if you or your child experiences:
The best way to prevent a varicella-zoster infection is to get vaccinated against chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox, you can prevent shingles by getting a shingles vaccination.
If you have chicken pox, you should avoid contact with other people until you no longer have a rash. You should cover shingles rashes to prevent spreading VZV. It’s especially important to avoid people who have a weakened immune system and kids — for instance, in schools or daycares.
Varicella-zoster is the virus that causes both chickenpox and shingles. A primary infection with VZV causes chickenpox and reactivation of the virus causes shingles (and, rarely, other infections like meningitis).
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Herpes zoster is another name for shingles. Varicella-zoster is the virus that causes the infection. So, a reactivated varicella-zoster infection can also be called herpes zoster.
As if an itchy rash in childhood isn’t enough, varicella-zoster virus can come back and cause severe nerve pain and other complications later in life. But thanks to successful vaccines, many people will never have to experience a VZV infection. For those who’ve already had chickenpox, a shingles vaccine can reduce your risk of varicella-zoster ever coming back.
Talk to your provider about your risk and your child’s risk for varicella-zoster infections and reactivations. They can help you understand the best ways to protect yourself from serious infections — both now and later.
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Last reviewed on 04/02/2024.
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