Search 33,000+ CME courses
Back

StatPearls, LLC

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Blister
  • Chickenpox
  • Herpes Zoster
  • Vaccination

Varicella-Zoster Virus (Chickenpox)

Chickenpox, known as varicella, is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also triggers herpes zoster (shingles) upon reactivation. The condition manifests as a skin rash with small, itchy blisters that eventually scab over. While primarily affecting children, varicella poses greater risks to adolescents, adults, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and neonates, often necessitating antiviral therapy or supportive treatments like varicella zoster immune globulin. Diagnosis is typically clinical, though laboratory tests may confirm cases or identify complications. Vaccination, through 1- or 2-dose regimens, effectively prevents varicella, with some countries adopting universal pediatric immunization programs. The disease spreads easily, making timely intervention and prevention critical, particularly for vulnerable populations. The course equips healthcare professionals with comprehensive knowledge of varicella s epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and evidence-based management strategies for uncomplicated and severe cases. Participants gain insights into current treatment protocols, including antiviral use and supportive therapies, alongside updated prevention guidelines emphasizing vaccination. The course underscores the importance of interprofessional collaboration, highlighting how coordinated efforts among clinicians, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and public health specialists, enhance patient outcomes. By fostering effective communication and role clarity, interprofessional teams ensure timely diagnosis, tailored treatments, and robust prevention strategies, particularly for high-risk groups, reducing complications and improving care quality across diverse patient populations.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

AAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsNursingUp to 1.5 creditsPharmacyUp to 1.5 credits

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABPATH — Lifelong LearningUp to 1.5 pointsABA — Lifelong LearningUp to 1.5 pointsABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABIM — Medical KnowledgeUp to 1.5 pointsABS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABP — Lifelong Learning and Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABTS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 points

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Cross-Specialty

Relevant across 9 specialties.

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • Credit · Up to 1.5 credits
  • MOC · Up to 1.5 points
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

Related courses

See all

Other providers’ courses on the same topic

More from StatPearls, LLC

See all

This provider’s courses closest to this one