Varicella-Zoster Virus
Also written as VZV.
Poxviruses and Varicella-Zoster Virus — structure, diseases, clinical features, vaccines, treatment
What our notes say
- Poxviruses and Varicella-Zoster Virus — structure, diseases, clinical features, vaccines, treatment (EXAM: Basic Virology, Viral Replication, Prions & Slow Viruses, Poxviruses & VZV)
- Poxviruses and Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) represent two very different but clinically important groups of DNA viruses that both cause characteristic vesicular skin lesions. (EXAM: Basic Virology, Viral Replication, Prions & Slow Viruses, Poxviruses & VZV)
- VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS- Portal of entry: respiratory epithelium * (Medical Virology Exam Notes: Pathogenesis, HSV, CMV, Hepatitis, Flu)
- VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS (VZV)Portal of entry: respiratory epithelium *Most contagious period: 1-2 days PRIOR to development of the rash * (MBChB Year 3 Medical Virology Exam Notes: HSV, CMV, EBV)
- VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS (VZV)### Varicella (Chickenpox)Epidemiology: Mild, highly contagious; mainly children (Herpesviridae: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Treatment)
- The virus can reactivate later to cause productive infection (e.g., Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)). (Microbial Metabolism, Structure, and Therapeutics)
Study material on Varicella-Zoster Virus
- Herpesviridae: HSV-1, HSV-2 Pathogenesis & Clinical Diseases
- EXAM: Basic Virology, Viral Replication, Prions & Slow Viruses, Poxviruses & VZV
- Herpesviruses: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Tx
- Herpesviridae: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Treatment
- Skin & Breast Pathology MCQs: Dermatological Lesions & Diseases
- Medical Virology & Mycology Paper Two 2022/2023 — MKU MBMM 3300 Questions & Answers
- MBChB Year 3 Medical Virology Exam Notes: HSV, CMV, EBV
- Microbial Metabolism, Structure, and Therapeutics
- Herpesviridae: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Treatment — Practice Questions
- Virology 2
Practice questions on Varicella-Zoster Virus
TRUE statement for varicella-zoster virus infection?
- Causes a maculopapular rash
- Responds to AZT therapy
- Remains latent in sensory ganglia after primary infection
- Recurrent episodes of shingles usually occur
- Patients with shingles are not infectious
Answer: C. VZV becomes latent in dorsal root and sensory ganglia and reactivates later as shingles.
What is the portal of entry for varicella-zoster virus?
- Respiratory epithelium
- Mouth
- Conjunctiva
- Through a break in the skin
Answer: A. VZV (chickenpox/shingles virus) enters via inhalation of infectious respiratory droplets or aerosols, infecting the respiratory epithelium first. It then disseminates via viremia to produce the characteristic widespread vesicular rash. ---
When are people infected with varicella-zoster virus most contagious?
- 1-2 days prior to the development of the rash
- When the rash appears
- When the skin lesions become itchy
- When the lesions become encrusted
Answer: A. VZV is most contagious during the prodromal phase, 1-2 days before the rash appears, when the patient feels unwell but has no visible lesions. Infectivity continues until all lesions are crusted over. ---