The herpes virus Varicella Zoster Virus is responsible for chicken pox (varicella) in young people and shingles (herpes zoster) in adults.
Varicella virus is extremely communicable before the rash appears and until the sores have crusted over.
The Varicella Zoster Virus enters the body through the respiratory mucous membranes and causes systemic disease characterized by high fever, malaise, and skin lesions, which may appear anywhere on the body.
