Is Chickenpox Herpes?

Herpes is a highly stigmatized word and one that most people don't want to be associated with. That's why some people balk when they hear that chickenpox is a form of herpes. Not only that, the same herpes virus that causes chickenpox in children can also cause disease in adults.

Herpesviridae is the scientific term for the group of viruses colloquially known as herpes viruses. The type that causes chickenpox is known as varicella-zoster virus (VZV).

After a period of dormancy, VZV can reactivate and trigger a common yet painful disease called shingles. While it is typically referred to as herpes zoster when it causes shingles, the virus is ultimately VZV by another name.

At least four other herpes viruses commonly affect humans:

• Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) is a virus that primarily causes cold sores. HSV-1 is now responsible for a growing number of genital herpes infections since it can be transmitted during oral sex.
• Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-1) is the virus that used to be responsible for most cases of genital herpes. HSV-2 still primarily infects the genital region. This is the virus most people are thinking of them when they say someone has herpes.
• Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is the virus causes mononucleosis. It has also been tentatively linked to some cases of chronic fatigue syndrome. However, there needs to be substantially more research before such an association can be confirmed
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that rarely causes disease in healthy individuals. However, a CMV infection can be quite serious in people who are immune-compromised, such as those with HIV. CMV infection can also be dangerous during pregnancy if transmitted to the baby. CMV in infants can cause serious, long-term health problems.

In general, when someone says that they have herpes, they mean that they have genital herpes. However, it is technically correct to refer to either genital herpes or oral herpes as herpes.

By contrast, infections with the other types of herpes virus are not referred to having herpes per se. In this sense, chickenpox is not herpes even though it is associated with the same family of herpes virus.

Chickenpox is not sexually transmitted. As such, it and cold sores are seen by many to be "innocent," while genital herpes carries the stigma of blame. It is an attitude that reflects the general discomfort we, as Americans, have with sex and sexuality.

The truly sad part is that the stigma associated with herpes is the main reason why many don't get treated and end up passing the virus to others. The same thing is seen with HIV and pretty much every other sexually transmitted infection. And the problem is growing.

The question as to whether chickenpox and herpes are the same thing is not as important as asking ourselves why one makes feel so dirty and the other doesn't?