Chicken pox is caused by?

Appeared in: CGHS SSC - 2018

Explanation

Chickenpox (varicella) is an acute, highly infectious disease caused by the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
VZV is also known as Human alphaherpesvirus 3.
The primary infection with VZV results in chickenpox. The virus then becomes latent in sensory nerve ganglia and can reactivate later in life to cause herpes zoster (shingles).
The disease is characterized by a vesicular rash, often described as "dew-drops on a rose petal," which appears in successive crops.

Option A: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), another herpesvirus, is the primary cause of infectious mononucleosis, characterized by fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.
Option B: Hepatitis viruses are a group of viruses that primarily infect and cause inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), leading to symptoms like jaundice and fatigue.
Option C: Staphylococcus is a genus of bacteria, not a virus. It is a common cause of skin infections, pneumonia, and food poisoning. It can cause a secondary bacterial infection in chickenpox sores but does not cause the primary illness.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Causative agent of Chickenpox (Varicella) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must implement strict airborne and contact precautions for hospitalized patients with chickenpox to prevent nosocomial (hospital-acquired) spread until all lesions are crusted.
Patient education is a key nursing role, focusing on advising against scratching the itchy lesions to prevent secondary bacterial infections (like from Staphylococcus) and permanent scarring.
Nurses should be able to identify high-risk groups for severe varicella, which include adults, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals, who may require antiviral therapy.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that asks for the causative agent of a specific disease.
First, identify the key disease in the question stem: "Chicken pox".
Next, analyze the options provided, noting they include different types of pathogens (viruses and a bacterium).
Recall the specific microorganism responsible for chickenpox.
Systematically eliminate the incorrect options by associating them with the diseases they are known to cause. For example, link Staphylococcus to bacterial skin infections and EB virus to mononucleosis.
Confirm your choice by selecting the pathogen that is the established cause of chickenpox.

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

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 2005-2007

Practise the full CGHS SSC - 2018

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.