What virus causes herpes zoster?

What virus causes herpes zoster?

• A. Bacteria that causes pneumonia
• B. Autoimmune reaction
• C. Herpes virus that causes chickenpox
• D. Fungus that causes athletes foot

Answer: (C)

Herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same herpesvirus that causes chickenpox. After the initial infection, the virus lies dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate later in life, leading to shingles along a nerve pathway with a painful, vesicular rash. The other options describe bacteria, an autoimmune process, or a fungus, none of which cause herpes zoster.

Herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same herpesvirus that causes chickenpox. After the initial infection, the virus lies dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate later in life, leading to shingles along a nerve pathway with a painful, vesicular rash. The other options describe bacteria, an autoimmune process, or a fungus, none of which cause herpes zoster.