How did chickenpox get its name?
– Martha
The name chickenpox has been around for centuries, and there are a number of theories as to how it got its name. One is that chickenpox got its name from the blisters that are seen with the illness. These red spots — which are about 1/5 inch to 2/5 inch (5mm to 10mm) wide — were once thought to look like chickpeas, which in Latin are known as cicer. Another theory is that the rash of chickenpox looks like the peck marks caused by a chicken. But, in case you were wondering, chickenpox can't be caught from a chicken!
For more information, check out this article:
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD
Date reviewed: June 2009
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