title: A model of Varicella-Zoster reactivation.
abstract: Mathematical models have been used to study the dynamic interaction of many infectious diseases with the host's immune system. In this paper, we study Varicella Zoster Virus, which is responsible for chicken pox (varicella), and after a long period of latency, herpes zoster (shingles). After developing the model and demonstrating that is exhibits the type of periodic behavior necessary for long term latency and reactivation, we examine the implications of the model for vaccine booster programs aimed at preventing herpes zoster.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456, United States. forde@hws.edu
authors.forename: Jonathan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Forde
authors.forename: Bailey
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meeker
mesh_terms: D002644:Chickenpox / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D008954:Models, Biological; D010507:Periodicity; D014775:Virus Activation; D017735:Virus Latency
chemical_list: D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine