New research is shedding light on the surprisingly broad range of neurological and systemic diseases that can be caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV), the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles.

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#VaricellaZoster #VZV #NeurologyResearch

⚡️ New research highlights that the varicella zoster virus (VZV), which causes chickenpox and shingles, is an underrecognized cause of serious neurological and systemic diseases, affecting over 90% of the global population carrying it dormant.

🧠 VZV reactivation, which occurs in at least 1 in 3 carriers, can lead to a wide spectrum of conditions beyond shingles, including stroke, vision loss, paralysis, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and debilitating pain (postherpetic neuralgia), even without a visible rash.

👶 Up to one-third of arterial ischemic strokes in children are attributed to VZV, and complications can occur during initial chickenpox infection.

💡 Doctors are urged to consider VZV as a potential cause for unexplained neurological or systemic conditions, especially those affecting one side of the body, even when no rash is present, requiring specialized tests for diagnosis.

#VZV #Shingles #Neurology