A 2002 study indicated that exposure to varicella is much higher in adults living with children and that such exposure substantially boosts immunity against shingles.
A positive smear cannot distinguish between varicella zoster virus and HSV-1, and a negative smear does not rule out HSV infection.
A sample of the varicella zoster virus was isolated from the blood of a three-year-old Japanese boy in 1972.
A study published in 2001 indicates that the varicella vaccine is highly effective when used in clinical practice.
Although children who have had chickenpox are immune to the disease and cannot contract it a second time, the varicella zoster virus can remain inactive in the human body.
At present, live attenuated varicella vaccine is not licensed for use in the UK.
Before the varicella vaccine (Varivax) was released for use in 1995, nearly all of the 4 million children born each year in the United States contracted chickenpox, resulting in hospitalization in five of every 1,000 cases and 100 deaths.
Chickenpox (also called varicella) is a common, extremely infectious, rash-producing childhood disease that also affects adults on occasion.
Chickenpox vaccine or varicella zoster vaccine (VZV) is an injection that protects children from contracting chickenpox (varicella), one of the most common childhood diseases.
Children should not be vaccinated against measles or chickenpox (varicella) for four months after being treated with RIG.
Early treatment with IV acyclovir is recommended for infants in this exposure category who develop varicella despite VZIG prophylaxis.
Herpes virus-A family of viruses including herpes simplex types 1 and 2, and herpes zoster (also called varicella zoster).
Herpesvirus-A family of viruses including herpes simplex types 1 and 2, and herpes zoster (also called varicella zoster).
However unlike other weakened viruses, varicella zoster remains in the cell rather than being secreted from the cell and collected from the culture medium.
However, sometimes a test to identify the varicella virus is carried out.
In 2001 child-care facilities and public schools began phasing in a varicella vaccination requirement for enrollment.
In contrast there were 68 cases of herpes zoster in healthy children under age 20, following natural infection with varicella.
In rare cases, an unborn child exposed to varicella zoster can be damaged or may be miscarried.
In rare instances it is possible to contract the weakened vaccine strain of varicella from a recently vaccinated child.
In the immunocompromised however, this viraemia may be prolonged or severe producing disseminated varicella which looks the same as primary chickenpox.
Infection from one week before to one week after delivery can lead to severe neonatal varicella.
It is not known whether the weakened virus used for VZV can remain dormant in the body, eventually causing shingles in the same way that the naturally occurring varicella virus can.
Passive immunization should be carried out using Varicella zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) in non-immune patients if exposed to chickenpox or shingles.
Prevention Chickenpox is now a vaccine preventable disease with the advent of a live attenuated varicella zoster virus vaccine.
Prior to the use of the varicella vaccine, chickenpox was a typical part of growing up for most children in the industrialized world.
Research is needed on the long-term follow-up of infants who have developed fetal varicella syndrome.
Reye 's syndrome has been reported in children treated with aspirin during natural varicella infection.
Some universities and schools may ask for varicella immunization.
The weakened virus induces a child's immune system to develop antibodies against the varicella virus without causing the disease.
They have had a serious reaction to a previous varicella vaccination.
This "Oka" varicella strain, named after the original infected child, was licensed by Merck in 1981 and used to develop Varivax.
Thus the varicella virus can spread very rapidly within families and among groups of children in school and daycare.
Varicella (chickenpox vaccine)-Given by injection between the ages of 12-18 months or later for children who have not had chickenpox.
Varicella zoster-The virus that causes chickenpox (varicella).
Varivax-The brand name for varicella virus vaccine live, an immunizing agent used to prevent infection by the Herpes (Varicella) zoster virus.