Explain the relationship between chickenpox and shingles, paying special attention to the pathogenic ...

Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in their body. The virus can reactivate later, causing shingles. Most people who develop shingles have only one episode during their lifetime. Chickenpox transmission is mainly person-to-person by airborne respiratory droplets, but also occurs by direct contact with vesicle fluid of chickenpox cases or contact with the vesicle fluid of patients with herpes zoster. Immunosuppressed cases with disseminated herpes zoster may also transmit via respiratory droplets. Shingles spreads via contact with the fluid or pus in a person’s blisters. If a person comes into contact with this, they may develop chickenpox if they have never had it or the varicella vaccine, also known as the chickenpox vaccine. Shingles can transmit via coughing and sneezing only if blisters have developed in the person’s oral cavity.