In: Biology
Describe the two different disease manifestations of Varicella-Zoster virus.
Disease manifestations of Varicella-Zoster virus :-
This is member of herpesvirus group and contains DNA as nucleic acid.
1. Varicella/ Chicken pox :-
• This is a highly infectious disease which is common in child
age.
• It is characterized by vesicular rashes on trunk mainly.
• This infection spreads through respiratory route from diseased
person to healthy person.
• One infection of this disease provides life long immunity.
• Infection in adults is more severe then children. This virus can
also cross the placenta and may cause congenital anomalies.
2. Herpes zoster :-
• This is disease of old age and infects person who had chicken pox
several years earlier.
• Virus remains in sensory ganglia for a long time and its
infection is suppressed by immunity. But when immunity has fallen
then this virus reactivated and causes neuritic pain and skin
lesions.
• Mainly thoracic nerves are involved in this disease.