Which virus causes chicken pox?

The virus that causes chicken pox is the varicella-zoster virus, which belongs to the herpes virus family. This virus is highly contagious and is primarily spread through respiratory droplets or direct contact with the fluid from blisters. Once a person is infected, they typically develop a characteristic itchy rash, along with flu-like symptoms such as fever and fatigue. Importantly, the varicella-zoster virus can also remain dormant in the body and may reactivate later in life, causing shingles, a painful rash. Understanding this virus is key for recognizing and managing chicken pox in both children and adults, as well as providing insight into vaccination strategies, which include the varicella vaccine to prevent the disease.