LAST UPDATED: Jan 23, 2021
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection is known to have two disease outcomes. The first is varicella (syn. chickenpox), a common and highly contagious disease mainly occuring in childhood. The second, herpes zoster (syn. shingles), is a disease characterised by an extremely painful rash that tends to occur much later in life. Those most at risk are the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. For further information refer to the related chapters.
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