varicella etymology

Etymology

Varicella derives from the Latin word "variola," meaning "smallpox." The term was first used in the 16th century by the Italian physician Giovanni Filippo Ingrassia to describe a distinct disease from smallpox. The term "varicella" is still used today to refer to the specific disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus.

Meaning and Origin

Varicella refers to the specific disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is a highly contagious viral infection characterized by a rash of small, itchy blisters. The virus is in the same family as the herpes virus, and it stays in the body after the initial infection, becoming latent (inactive), but may reactivate later in life to cause shingles.

The origin of the varicella-zoster virus is believed to be in non-human primates. The virus has been around for thousands of years, and it is thought to have spread to humans through contact with infected animals.

varicella relate terms

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