Certified Wound Specialist (CWS ) Practice Test

The Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV), which causes chickenpox and shingles, is primarily spread through nasopharyngeal droplets. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets containing the virus can be inhaled by those nearby, leading to new infections. This mode of transmission is especially significant during the initial stages of chickenpox, when the virus is highly contagious before any rash appears and continues until the lesions crust over.

While direct contact with lesions can also transmit the virus, especially for shingles, the primary means of spreading VZV in the context of chickenpox infection is through respiratory droplets. Other modes like contaminated surfaces may contribute minimally, but they are not the primary means of transmission. Blood transfusions are not a common route for VZV transmission, reinforcing that respiratory droplets represent the main pathway for spreading this virus.