Causative organism for chicken pox :

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Entrance-2023

Explanation

Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious infection caused by the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
VZV is a type of herpes virus, specifically Human alphaherpesvirus 3, which is distinct from the viruses that cause smallpox or herpes simplex infections.
The primary infection with VZV causes chickenpox, which is characterized by an itchy rash with small, fluid-filled blisters (vesicles).
After the initial infection, the virus becomes latent in the body's nerve cells and can reactivate later in life to cause shingles (herpes zoster).

Option A: This virus is one of the two causative agents of smallpox, not chickenpox. Smallpox is a distinct and much more severe disease that has been eradicated.
Option B: This is the primary causative agent of the severe form of smallpox, a globally eradicated disease. It is unrelated to chickenpox.
Option D: This is not a recognized or valid name for a virus. It appears to be a confusion between 'Variola' (the genus for smallpox virus) and 'Herpes simplex' virus.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Causative agent of chickenpox as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be able to differentiate common childhood rashes. Chickenpox is highly contagious and requires airborne and contact precautions until all lesions have crusted over.
Patient education is critical, especially regarding the risk of VZV reactivation as shingles (Herpes Zoster) later in life. Nurses should educate eligible adults about the shingles vaccine.
In India, the chickenpox vaccine (Varicella vaccine) is available and recommended, but not part of the national universal immunization program, making public awareness and counseling important nursing roles.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core of the question: It asks for the specific microorganism that causes chickenpox.
Analyze the options. Notice the similarity in the names ('Variola', 'Varicella'). This suggests the question is testing your ability to distinguish between related or similar-sounding pathogens.
Recall the scientific name for the chickenpox virus. 'Varicella' is the medical term for chickenpox.
Match the disease (Varicella/chickenpox) to the causative agent (Varicella-zoster virus).
Eliminate the other options by recalling that 'Variola' virus causes smallpox, and 'Variola simplex' is not a real pathogen.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) p. 146-148

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