Chickenpox (also called varicella) is an infectious disease transmitted by the varicella-zoster virus. The signs of the disease are: an itching blister-like skin rash covering the entire body. The complications of chickenpox include: encephalitis, a drop in the platelet count, and pneumonia. A zinc solution may be applied to alleviate itching. Adults with a weakened immune system may develop the typical vesicular skin rash again, even if they have already had chickenpox as a child. In these cases, the rash will be limited to one region of the body, e.g. a belt-shaped rash around the hips. This new eruption is caused by viruses which have lain dormant along the nerves.