MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Chicken pox

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Chicken pox

Chicken pox, also called varicella, is an acute viral disease of young children. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms include fever, general malaise, and a rash which begins with small reddish bumps (papules) that quickly fill with fluid to form small blisters (vesicles).

Update Date: 12/5/2001

Updated by: A.D.A.M. Medical Illustration Team

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