varicella

noun
var·​i·​cel·​la | \ ˌver-ə-ˈse-lə How to pronounce varicella (audio) , ˌva-rə-\

Definition of varicella

Examples of varicella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After an infection, the varicella virus remains latent in nerve roots and can reactivate to cause shingles, which typically strikes decades later and can cause severe long-term nerve pain or vision loss. Tara Haelle, Scientific American, "Two-for-One: Chickenpox Vaccine Lowers Shingles Risk in Children," 11 June 2019 Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus, the varicella zoster virus. NBC News, "Chickenpox vaccine linked to lower rates of shingles in children, study finds," 10 June 2019 Shingles happens due to a varicella-zoster virus infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. Korin Miller, SELF, "9 Questions That Will Help You Decode That Skin Rash," 22 Mar. 2019 There are a few exceptions though - herpes simplex virus and varicella can cause a particular type of rash that resembles tiny blisters, are very contagious, and typically require antiviral medication. Gabriela Moraru, M.d., miamiherald, "My child has a rash! What should I do? | Miami Herald," 1 May 2018 Chickenpox is transmitted through contact with an infected person’s respiratory droplets or their lesions, which contain the varicella zoster virus. New York Times, "Is Shingles Contagious?," 25 May 2018 Shingles is caused by the same varicella zoster virus. New York Times, "Is Shingles Contagious?," 25 May 2018 However, if your child is not vaccinated yet, varicella will appear as a red bump that will progress over the course of few hours into a vesicle that will then dry and form a crust. Gabriela Moraru, M.d., miamiherald, "My child has a rash! What should I do? | Miami Herald," 1 May 2018 Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox (varicella zoster virus). Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Shingrix® – A new, more effective Shingles vaccine available at Froedtert & MCW pharmacies," 7 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'varicella.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of varicella

1771, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for varicella

borrowed from New Latin, from vari- (in variola variola) + Medieval Latin -cella, diminutive suffix (extracted from nouns such as nāvicella, diminutive of Latin nāvicula "boat," diminutive of nāvis "ship")

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More Definitions for varicella

varicella

noun
var·​i·​cel·​la | \ ˌvar-ə-ˈsel-ə How to pronounce varicella (audio) \

Medical Definition of varicella