Chickenpox is caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). It is a member of the herpes virus family. It causes chickenpox (varicella) and shingles (herpes zoster). Like other herpes viruses, VZV affects both skin and nerves.

After an attack of chickenpox, the virus usually lies dormant for the rest of the person’s life, but sometimes becomes active again, causing outbreaks of shingles.

How to prevent it from Baby? Chickenpox can be prevented by vaccinationp. Vaccination against chickenpox is effective and recommended for children from 12 months to 12 years. There is no reason to not vaccination.

For healthy babies, chicken pox is usually more of a nuisance than a real threat. On rare occasions, though, even healthy children can develop serious complications from chicken pox, like a bacterial skin infection, pneumonia, or encephalitis, a swelling of the brain.

It is better to get chicken pox as a child because coming down with chicken pox at the age of five or six means you get a few days off school, drinking liquid paracetamol, being smothered in calamine lotion and picking at your scabs.

Waiting until adulthood will land you with flu-like symptoms of the worst order, and a real chance of developing one of the complications, such as viral pneumonia or transient cerebellar ataxia that are, thankfully, rare in childhood.