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Until recently, chicken pox was a rite of passage for children and was often looked upon as just a nuisance, although this illness can cause complications in some people. Though the development and use of a chicken pox vaccine has reduced the number of chicken pox cases, the unvaccinated remain vulnerable. In addition, shingles, a painful condition that can arise after an initial chicken pox infection, is a concern, particularly in older people. ""Chicken Pox"" presents an overview of this disease caused by a herpes virus known as the varicella-zoster virus, explaining the signs and symptoms of the disease, how it spreads, how it is treated, and how the development of a vaccine has affected the incidence of chicken pox. Chapters of this title include: What Is Chicken Pox?; The History of Chicken Pox; The Varicella-Zoster Virus; Chicken Pox in Infants and Adults; Treatment; How Is Chicken Pox Prevented?; What Is Shingles?; and, Future Prospects and Concerns.