Chicken Pox, Shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia

Chicken pox and related conditions

Chicken pox (varicella zoster virus)

Chicken pox or varicella is an itchy, red, lumpy rash that is caused by the varicella virus. The chicken pox virus is highly contagious for those who are not immune to it. You can only become immune to chicken pox through already having the disease and developing antibodies to it or through vaccination, which has only been introduced in the last decade.

For more information, see Chicken Pox (Varicella Zoster Virus).

Video: Chicken pox

There are a number of viruses that seem to mainly affect children more than adults. Dr Joe Kosterich talks about chicken pox, how it affects a child, what it looks like, how long it lasts, complications, and what you can do about chicken pox.

For more information, see Video: Chicken Pox.

Shingles (herpes zoster)

Shingles is caused by the activation of the varicella-zoster virus. Varicella-zoster is the same virus that causes chicken pox, and shingles only occurs in people who have had chicken pox. Once a person has had chicken pox, the virus remains in nerve cells near the spine. Chicken pox will never reoccur if the virus is "reactivated". Instead, a condition far worse than chicken pox develops: shingles.

For more information, see Shingles (Herpes Zoster).

Video: Shingles

Shingles is a rash caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Dr Joe Kosterich talks about shingles, including what it is, how it's caught, who gets it, what its symptoms are, and how to treat it.

For more information, see Video: Shingles.

Pain after shingles (postherpetic neuralgia)

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a condition where enduring pain continues after a case of shingles has cleared up. PHN occurs once the rash has healed and there is no inflammation remaining at the site of infection.

For more information, see Pain After Shingles (Postherpetic Neuralgia).

Vaccines for chicken pox

Immunisation

Immunisation is a technique that allows us to protect both children and adults from harmful infections, which may otherwise produce serious illness or even death. To 'immunise' someone means to produce in someone the ability to fight off an infection. This can be done through vaccinations.

For more information, see Immunisation.

Varilrix Powder for Injection

Varilrix is a vaccine that protects against chicken pox, also known as the varicella virus. It contains a weakened form of the virus, and can be used by adults, children and babies aged ≥ 9 months of age. It is especially beneficial for non-immune adults at high risk of exposure, non-immune parents of young children, and non-immune people living in the same house as a non-immune person with immunodeficiency.

For more information, see Varilrix Powder for Injection.

Varivax Refrigerated Powder for Injection

Varivax is a vaccine that protects against chicken pox. It contains a weakened form of the virus, and can be used by adults and children aged ≥ 12 months. It is especially beneficial for non-immune adults at high risk of exposure, non-immune parents of young children, and non-immune people living in the same house as a non-immune person with immunodeficiency.

For more information, see Varivax Refrigerated Powder for Injection.

Zoster Immunoglobulin-VF Solution for Injection

Zoster Immunoglobulin-VF is used for the prevention of chicken pox in people with immunodeficiency who have never had chicken pox or been vaccinated for it, and who have recently been exposed to the virus (i.e. within the last 96 hours). It is prepared from human blood and contains a high concentration of varicella antibodies.

For more information, see Zoster Immunoglobulin-VF Solution for Injection.