chicken pox
noun
: an acute contagious disease especially of children marked by low-grade fever and formation of vesicles and caused by a herpesvirus (species Human herpesvirus 3 of the genus Varicellovirus) compare shingles
Examples of chicken pox in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shingles is a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus – the same virus that causes chicken pox — according to the Mayo Clinic.
—
Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 13 June 2023
Evers’ administration wanted to require parents seeking a chicken pox vaccination exemption to provide proof that their child has previously been infected.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2023
Advertisement But the dynamic changed once Feinstein announced March 2 that she was hospitalized with shingles, a viral infection related to chicken pox that is painful but not life-threatening.
—Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2023
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is not contagious; however, reactivation of the varicella zoster virus can cause chicken pox in people who have never had chicken pox or haven’t been vaccinated for it.
—L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune Well, 3 Mar. 2023
However, the virus that causes chicken pox and shingles is a different virus from coronavirus.
—Lois K. Solomon, sun-sentinel.com, 2 Nov. 2021
Right now, a map from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre shows a country spotted red with blazes, like it’s come down with a nasty case of chicken pox.
—Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 1 July 2023
The vaccine has prevented 91 million cases of chicken pox, as well as 238,000 hospitalizations, and 2,000 deaths, according to CDC estimates.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 9 June 2023
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chicken pox in children and shingles in adults.
—L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune Well, 3 Mar. 2023
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Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 13 June 2023
Evers’ administration wanted to require parents seeking a chicken pox vaccination exemption to provide proof that their child has previously been infected.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2023
Advertisement But the dynamic changed once Feinstein announced March 2 that she was hospitalized with shingles, a viral infection related to chicken pox that is painful but not life-threatening.
—Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2023
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is not contagious; however, reactivation of the varicella zoster virus can cause chicken pox in people who have never had chicken pox or haven’t been vaccinated for it.
—L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune Well, 3 Mar. 2023
However, the virus that causes chicken pox and shingles is a different virus from coronavirus.
—Lois K. Solomon, sun-sentinel.com, 2 Nov. 2021
Right now, a map from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre shows a country spotted red with blazes, like it’s come down with a nasty case of chicken pox.
—Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 1 July 2023
The vaccine has prevented 91 million cases of chicken pox, as well as 238,000 hospitalizations, and 2,000 deaths, according to CDC estimates.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 9 June 2023
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chicken pox in children and shingles in adults.
—L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune Well, 3 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chicken pox.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1691, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near chicken pox
Cite this Entry
“Chicken pox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chicken%20pox. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
chicken pox
noun
: a contagious virus disease especially of children marked by low fever and a rash or small watery blisters
Medical Definition
chicken pox
noun
: an acute contagious disease especially of children that is marked by low-grade fever and formation of vesicles and that is caused by a herpesvirus of the genus Varicellovirus (species Human herpesvirus 3)
called also varicella
see shingles
More from Merriam-Webster on chicken pox
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chicken pox
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