Caused by the herpetovirus (varicella zoster virus); a painful papular or vesicular eruption is seen usually unilaterally on the skin or oral mucosa following the path of the involved sensory nerve. The patient exhibits fever and malaise.
Varicella zoster is the virus that causes chicken pox. It is a mild but highly contagious disease that is contracted by exposure to someone while in the infectious stage. It is characterized by aches and fever followed by a blister-like rash. The rash typically starts on the trunk and then spreads to other parts of the body and will break and crust over. Symptoms usually occur form 11 to 20 days after exposure to the virus.