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Essay On Causative Agent

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Causative Agent:
Human herpesvirus-3 (HHV-3)

Disease:
Varicella (chicken pox) and Herpes Zoster (shingles)

Classification of the causative agent:
Varicella Zoster virus is a member of the Herpesviridae family, sub classified as an alpha- herpesvirinae based on its DNA sequencing and genome arrangement. It has a herpesvirus virion structure with an inner DNA core, a capsid, a tegument (layer of proteins), and an outer envelope. Microscopic visualization of the varicella-zoster virus
Photo credit: https://www.videoblocks.com/video/microscopic-visualization-of-the-varicella-zoster-virus-riagemeqliwddbvtm/

History:
It is widely accepted that Giovanni Filippo was the first to record his description of the vesicular rash that …show more content…

Varicella enters through the respiratory track and mucus membranes. The virus will replicate at the site of entry, then, during the incubation period the virus spreads to the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and finally makes its way to the skin. As the infection progresses, small skin vesicles filled with pus and infected cell particles form on the skin surface. These lesions are the 'pox' of chickenpox.
Herpes zoster (shingles) cannot be passed from one person to another. However, since the virus that causes shingles is the same virus that causes chickenpox, unvaccinated individuals can be infected and present with a primary varicella infection (chickenpox) after coming into contact with a shingles blister either directly or indirectly.

Transmission of chickenpox
Photo credit: https://www.slideshare.net/rajalekshmy/chickenpox-52847384

Incubation Period of the Disease:
The incubation period for varicella is 14 to 16 days after exposure with a range of 10 to 21 days. A person with a primary varicella infection (chickenpox) can spread the disease from 1 to 2 days before they get the rash until 5 to 7 days after blisters have begun to heal.
Herpes zoster (shingles) results from the activation of the chickenpox virus already present in inactive nerve tissues. The virus can remain dormant in spinal nerves for many years and then can become activated along an infected nerve or group of nerves,

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