chickenpox

or chick·en pox

[ chik-uhn-poks ]

noun

1. a disease, commonly of children, caused by the varicella zoster virus and characterized by mild headache and fever, malaise, and eruption of blisters on the skin and mucous membranes.

chickenpox

/ ˈtʃɪkɪnˌpɒks /

noun

1. a highly communicable viral disease most commonly affecting children, characterized by slight fever and the eruption of a rash

chickenpox

/ chĭk′ən-pŏks′ /

1. A highly contagious infectious disease, usually of children, caused by the varicella-zoster virus of the genus Varicellavirus. The infection is characterized by fever, and itching skin blisters that start on the trunk of the body and spread to the extremities.
2. Also called varicella

Word History and Origins

Origin of chickenpox¹

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Rates of DTaP, hepatitis B and chickenpox vaccination have similarly declined.

From Los Angeles Times

Many cases go unrecognized because the disease resembles chickenpox, often occurs in remote villages, and is not easily diagnosed.

From Science Magazine

West Virginia law requires children to receive vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis-b, measles, meningitis, mumps, diphtheria, polio, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough, unless they receive a medical exemption.

From Seattle Times

"Like most states, Virginia requires MMR vaccine, chickenpox vaccine, polio, etc. So Trump would take millions in federal funds away from all Virginia public schools."

From Salon

When we think of immunity, we typically think of the adaptive immune system, which is when prior exposure to a pathogen -- say, a weakened version of chickenpox -- teaches the immune system what to guard against.

From Science Daily