varicella

An acute contagious disease, usually occurring in children, caused by the v.-zoster virus genus, Varicellovirus, a member of the family Herpesviridae, and marked by a sparse eruption of papules, which become vesicles and then pustules, like that of smallpox although less severe and varying in stages, usually with mild constitutional symptoms; incubation period is about 14–17 days. SEE ALSO: herpes zoster. SYN: chickenpox. [Mod. L. dim. of variola]

- v. gangrenosa gangrenous ulceration of v. lesions with or without secondary infection, occurring mainly in children with severe underlying disease.

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var·i·cel·la .var-ə-'sel-ə n CHICKEN POX

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n.

see chickenpox

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var·i·cel·la (var″ĭ-selґə) [L.] chickenpox.