Chickenpox, also spelled chicken pox, is the common name for Varicella simplex, classically one of the childhood infectious diseases caught and survived by most children.
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), also known as human herpes virus 3 (HHV-3), one of the eight herpes viruses known to affect humans. It starts with conjunctival and catarrhal symptoms, moderate fever and then characteristic spots appearing in two or three waves, mainly on the body and head rather than the hands and becoming itchy raw pox (pocks), small open sores which heal mostly without scarring.

CDC NIP: Varicella - Factsheets on chickenpox and the vaccine that prevents it.
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Chickenpox Facts - Includes cause, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Dr. Reddy's Office: Chickenpox - Overview of this common viral infection and vaccines.
eMedicine Health - Chickenpox - Factsheet with cause, treatment, tests, and treatment.
Meta Description: [ Learn about chickenpox (chicken pox) - signs, symptoms, causes and treatment for this highly contagious virus infection that mostly affects children on emedcinehealth.com ]
Kidshealth: Varicella (Chicken Pox) - Factsheet with signs and symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and complications.
Meta Description: [ Although it's more common in kids under age 12, anyone can get chickenpox. The good news is that a vaccine can prevent most cases, and those who do get it usually are immune afterwards. ]
Kidsource.com - Chickenpox - Information on the Chickenpox vaccine, ask questions in the forum and find other articles.
Meta Description: [ New CDC Report Says Chickenpox is Now the Leading Cause
of Vaccine Preventable Deaths in Children in the United States ]
MayoClinic.com - Chickenpox - Features symptoms, risk factors, complications, treatment, and prevention.
Meta Description: [ Chickenpox — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment, prevention of this once common childhood illness. ]
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Chickenpox - Includes cause, symptoms, images, diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, and treatment.
MEDLINEplus: Chickenpox - The National Institute of Health provides this directory of links to various sites and articles about chickenpox.
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Routine Varicella Immunization for Children: Basis of the Program Implementation in the US - Scientific and medical paper.
The Chicken Pox Vaccine: What Parents Need To Know - Brochure from the American Association of Pediatrics.
Whale: Chickenpox - Information aimed at medical professionals, regarding the disease, homeopathic treatment alternatives, and possible vaccination outcomes.
WHO: Varicella Vaccine - Factsheet about chickenpox and the vaccine to prevent it.
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