varicella

Everyday

1. (medicine) The proper medical name for chickenpox, a common illness that gives an itchy rash of spots and blisters, mostly in children. tree →
2. (medicine) The virus that causes it, called the varicella-zoster virus. tree →

In the lessons

You will mostly hear "chickenpox" in everyday life; doctors, nurses and vaccine leaflets use "varicella". It spreads easily from person to person. Many children are given a varicella vaccine, which helps protect them. The same virus can wake up years later in an adult and cause shingles (herpes zoster). Phrases: "varicella vaccine", "varicella-zoster virus".

Examples

• Varicella is the doctor's word for chickenpox. tree →
• The leaflet said the varicella vaccine protects children from chickenpox. tree →
• My little brother had varicella and was covered in itchy spots. tree →
• The nurse wrote "varicella" on the school note. tree →
• Varicella spreads easily, so children stay home until the spots crust over. tree →
• The varicella virus can return years later as shingles. tree →

Note

Uncountable: say "varicella", not "a varicella". Pronounced VARR-ih-SELL-uh. It has nothing to do with chickens: the name "chickenpox" is old and its origin is not certain. Do not scratch the spots, as they can scar. A doctor, not a pupil, decides if someone has it.