The chickenpox virus is a highly contagious disease that can cause itchiness and produces a blister-like rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
1. Varicella-zoster virus has the ability to switch from a latent lysogenic cycle to an active lytic cycle that reactivates after dormancy.
2. Varicella-zoster virus infects human cells. Basically, it infects and replicates the cutaneous fibroblast and epidermal cells and the several types of immune cells.
3. The person typically contracts this virus through inhalation. It enters the host's respiratory tract where it replicates in the nasopharynx as well as the regional lymph nodes.
4. This virus is characterized by red itchy blisters that can spread over the entire body.
