Varicella zoster virusThe varicella zoster virus is commonly known as chickenpox and shingles. It is part of the family of DNA viruses also called Herpesviridae. The Herpesviridae family consists of eight different species identified to infect humans. The first two species of Herpesviridae: HHV-1 and HHV-2 caused cold sores and genital herpes. The Varicella zoster species is the HHV-3 virus which is a recurrent virus, similar to other herpes viruses. Varcella zoster virus has the ability to persist in the body after the first infection as a dormant infection. VZV persists in sensory nerve ganglia. The main symptoms of VZV are chickenpox and herpes zoster or also known as shingles. Shingles is the result of reactivation of the dormant VZV infection. Thomas Weller was the first scientist to isolate and culture the virus in 1954. In March 1995, the first vaccine was authorized for use in the United States. Varcella zoster virus has its own unique history, pathology, and morphology, as well as diagnosis and treatment which are further discussed in this article. Also through this virus were cultivated in 1954, the first report of symptoms similar to vercella and shingles date back to ancient civilization. An Italian doctor, Giovanni Filippo was the one who discovered varcella. However, varcella was believed to be smallpox and not a different virus. In 1700, Richard Morton recognized chickenpox and smallpox as two distinct viruses. In 1875, Rudolf Steiner confirmed that chickenpox was contagious by using vesicular fluid from a patient's chickenpox bladder and using it on volunteers. The volunteer then contracted chickenpox, which proves his discovery. The connection between Vacella and him... middle of paper... there is no clear explanation here as to why the virus reactivates. Reactivation of the varicella zoster virus occurs only in the elderly. Like chickenpox, most people have only one episode of shingles in their lifetime. There are cases where people have two or three accidents, but these cases are very rare. Although people who have received the chickenpox vaccine can still develop shingles, people 60 years of age and older are recommended to get the zoster vaccine. The signs of shingles are red spots, fluid-filled blisters, and intense itching. Some individuals experience fever, chills, headache, fatigue, or muscle weakness. The rash and blister tend to be located near the face, torso, and neck. Some treatments for the symptom are anti-inflammatory medications, antihistamines, numbing creams, and narcotic medications. These medicines can only help. They cannot prevent shingles.