Final answer:
Another term for chickenpox is varicella, a common childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. While usually mild in children, it can cause more severe complications in adults.
Step-by-step explanation:
Another term for chickenpox is varicella. This common childhood disease is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is part of the herpesvirus family. Children typically experience a mild, self-limiting infection characterized by a pustular rash, mainly concentrated on the trunk. However, in adults, chickenpox can be more severe and lead to complications such as pneumonia. Notably, once someone is infected with the varicella-zoster virus, the virus can enter a latent state in the body and later reactivate as shingles. Vaccines are available to prevent both chickenpox and to decrease the risk of shingles in adults who have previously had chickenpox.