Varicella zoster virus or
varicella-zoster virus (
VZV) is one of eight
herpesviruses known to infect humans and vertebrates. VZV only affects humans, and commonly causes
chickenpox in children, teens and young adults and
herpes zoster (shingles) in adults and rarely in children. VZV is known by many names, including chickenpox virus, varicella virus, zoster virus, and human herpesvirus type 3 (HHV-3).