Chicken pox is a common disease of childhood. It is caused by which of the following viruses?
**Core Concept**
Chicken pox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious, acute viral infection primarily affecting children. It is caused by the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) or through direct contact with an infected individual.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a type of herpesvirus that infects humans and causes two distinct diseases: chicken pox (varicella) in children and shingles (herpes zoster) in adults. VZV enters the body through respiratory droplets and replicates in the respiratory tract, eventually spreading to other parts of the body and causing the characteristic rash and fever of chicken pox. The virus remains latent in the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord and can reactivate later in life, leading to shingles.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because Coxsackievirus is a type of enterovirus that primarily causes hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in children.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect because Human parvovirus B19 is the causative agent of fifth disease (erythema infectiosum), a mild, self-limiting illness characterized by a distinctive "slapped cheek" rash.
* **Option C:** This option is incorrect because Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is responsible for causing cold sores (HSV-1) and genital herpes (HSV-2), but it is not the primary cause of chicken pox.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can lead to serious complications in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy. Additionally, VZV can cause congenital varicella syndrome if a pregnant woman contracts the virus, resulting in birth defects and fetal demise.
**Correct Answer: C. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)**