What is Varicella Zoster?
While you may not have heard of the Varicella Zoster virus, you are surely familiar with chickenpox, the ailment it causes. This highly contagious disease has been predominantly infecting children the world over by the millions since its first documentationopen_in_new in 1658. While a vaccine has existed since 1995, over 1 million cases are still recorded each year. Most illnesses result in mild symptoms, however extreme cases leading to death have been known to exceed 6,000 annuallyopen_in_new. The CDC recommends two dosesopen_in_new of the varicella vaccine to safeguard children against infection: one at 12 months and the second at around 5 years of age.
Varicella Zoster virus, one of many in the extensive family of herpesviruses, typically remains dormant in the body for years after the initial infection. The immune system keeps it at bay until it becomes compromised in older adultsopen_in_new, at which point it the virus may return in the form of Shingles. Shingles typically lasts 3–5 weeks and is accompanied by pain often described as aching, burning, and stabbingopen_in_new by its sufferers.
Where is it found?
What can it infect?
How does it spread?
Droplets
Preventing the Spread of Varicella Zoster
The spread of Varicella Zoster can be minimized by:
- Maintaining adequate air ventilation/filtration to dispel airborne spores
- Isolating yourself if infected
- Avoiding close contact with an infected person, via breath particles and physical contact
- Not touching surfaces that have been contaminated by the virus
- Wearing protective clothing in potentially infected areas
- Trimming fingernails to avoid scratching which may lead to secondary infection
Get More Protection with UV Disinfection
In addition to the above preventative measures, germicidal ultraviolet (UV-C) air and surface disinfection can inactivate Varicella Zoster in schools, colleges, camps, correctional institutions, airports, medical facilities, and nursing homes. Shop our products at AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.
Learn about these applications:
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Our germicidal lamps produce ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of maximum germicidal effectiveness. Read our FAQ blog post to learn more. See dosage data below.
Varicella Zoster: Classification & UV-C Dose for Inactivation
| Organism: | Alternate Name: | Type: | Disease: | UV Dose*: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varicella Zoster | VZV | Virus | Chickenpox | 3.6 mJ/cm2 |
* Nominal Ultraviolet dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganisms. See sources below.
People at High Risk of Infection
Varicella Zoster virus, if touched or inhaled, puts you at high risk of contracting chickenpox. Healthcare providers may prescribe antiviral medications to inhibit more serious illnesses that can develop. Most people simply resort to addressing the symptoms with soothing creams like calamine, cool compresses, and oatmeal baths. Adults and immunocompromised individuals are much more susceptible to developing lethal illnesses from the virus.
You’re more likely to contract an infection from Varicella Zoster if you:
- Have contact with an infected individual (share drinks, shake hands, hug or kiss)
- Touch an infected surface, then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Are not vaccinated
- Spend time in areas where the vaccination rate is low, such as Africa, the Middle East, and Asia
Varicella Zoster Symptoms
Chickenpox is characterized by an itchy rash with small, fluid-filled blisters which scab over between 10 and 21 daysopen_in_new after exposure. Lesions may be localized or spread over the entire body. The Varicella Zoster virus remains contagious until the blisters have scabbed over. While it is mainly a skin disorder, blisters may also form in the throat and eyesopen_in_new.
Additional symptoms associated with Varicella Zoster virus are as follows:
- Fever
- Nausea/Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Malaise
Possible Complications from Varicella Zoster
Some Varicella Zoster infections can cause:
- Bacterial infections
- Pneumonia
- Encephalitis
- Dehydration
- Toxic shock syndrome
- Bronchitis
- Reye’s syndrome
- Bleeding problems
- Sepsis
- Necrotizing fasciitis
- Death
Sources on Varicella Zoster
The above information can be found on the following pages.
- Wikipedia: Chickenpoxopen_in_new
- CDC: Chickenpox (Varicella)open_in_new
- Mayo clinic: Chickenpoxopen_in_new
- NYS Dept. of Health: Chickenpox (Varicella Zoster infection)open_in_new
- What is Shingles.com: Shingles Symptomsopen_in_new
- CDC: Chickenpox vaccinationopen_in_new
- John Hopkins Medicine: Shinglesopen_in_new
Dosage Source
Hospital Airborne Infection Control. Wladyslaw Kowalski. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2012.
Learn More, Shop & Contact Our Specialists
Since 1963, we’ve been engineering and manufacturing germicidal ultraviolet equipment to neutralize harmful microorganisms in water, in air, and on surfaces. Visit these helpful pages:
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