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 shingles in adults when it is reactivated.

Does this mean all of these conditions can be referred to as "herpes?"

About Herpes Viruses

Herpesviridae is the scientific term for the group of viruses colloquially known as herpes viruses. There are several herpes viruses that express themselves differently, but they each cause a blister-like rash that can spread. The name Herpeviridae is derived from the Greek word herpein, meaning "to creep."

There are at least six different herpes viruses commonly affecting humans:

• Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the virus that causes chickenpox, typically in children but sometimes in teens and young adults.
• Herpes zoster virus is the same virus as VZV but one that reactivates later in life to cause shingles.
• Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is the virus that primarily causes cold sores. HSV-1 is now responsible for a growing number of genital herpes infections since the virus can be transmitted from mouth to genitals during oral sex.
• Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is the virus that is responsible for most cases of genital herpes and is almost always limited to the genital region.
• Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is the virus that causes mononucleosis. It has also been tentatively linked to some cases of chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that rarely causes disease in healthy people. However, a CMV infection can be serious in those who are immune-compromised, such as people with HIV. CMV infection can also be dangerous if transmitted to the baby during pregnancy.

Making the Differentiation

Often, 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 viruses are not referred to as herpes. Although chickenpox, shingles, mononucleosis, and CMV retinitis are all caused by herpes viruses, they are not considered to be herpes in the usual sense of the word.

Sexual transmission is also a differentiating factor between chickenpox and herpes as VZV is not sexually transmitted. Although sexual transmission is possible EBV and CMV, they can be passed through other bodily fluids, such as saliva, tears, urine, blood, and breast milk.

Due to the mode of transmission, something like a cold sore might be considered "innocent," while genital herpes often carries the stigma of blame. It is an attitude that reflects the general discomfort we, as Americans, have with sex and sexuality.

A Word From Verywell

The stigma associated with herpes is one of the main reasons 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.

Genital herpes today affects one in eight American between the ages of 14 and 49, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moreover, an estimated 776,000 new infections occur each and every year.

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