These red spots — which are about 1/5 inch to 2/5 inch (5mm to 10mm) wide — were once thought to … Chickenpox, also called varicella, is characterized by itchy red blisters that appear all over the body. Chickenpox is most common in children under the age of 10. (They can however, get an infection with similar effects called fowl pox.) A virus causes this condition. Chickenpox has nothing to do with chicken. (About half of all 85-year-olds have had it.) Well, there are many theories, as there usually are to “street names” of things. Chickenpox (chicken pox), also known as varicella, is a highly contagious infection caused by the varicella zoster virus. Reactivation of the virus later in life is known as shingles. It's spread quickly and easily from someone who is infected. Chickenpox is highly contagious to people who haven't had the disease or been vaccinated against it. Today, a vaccine is available that protects children against chickenpox. It mainly affects kids, but adults can get it, too. Although uncomfortable, most people recover within 1-2 weeks. Chickens don’t even get infected by the virus — varicella zoster, a member of the herpes family — that causes the rash. Read more about the causes of chickenpox. Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus (varicella zoster virus). The name was meant to distinguish this “weak” form of the pox from smallpox (chicken being used, as in … The name chickenpox has been around for centuries, and there are a number of theories as to how it got its name. One theory states that In the 1600s doctors misdiagnosed the disease as a milder form of Small Pox. Seniors are at a high risk for suffering these chickenpox-related flare-ups, called shingles, which can cause terrible, long-lasting pain. In fact, chickenpox — technically known as the varicella zoster virus — is a type of herpes virus that, just like its close relative herpes simplex, becomes a lifelong resident in the body. Chickenpox (known medically as varicella) is caused by a virus called the varicella-zoster virus. “Chickenpox (varicella): A highly infectious viral disease, chickenpox is known medically (and in many countries) as varicella. Chickenpox is a very contagious infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. On the other hand, getting the varicella vaccine, which contains a weakened form of the virus, increases immunity to chicken pox and helps prevent serious illness. Why is it called Chicken Pox”? Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. One is that it's from the blisters that are seen with the illness. It causes an itchy rash with small, fluid-filled blisters. Chickenpox is caused by a virus called the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).It’s also known as human herpes virus 3 (HHV-3), or as just the varicella or zoster virus.