How long does the varicella-zoster virus survive?

The survival time of the varicella-zoster virus depends on its surrounding environment and conditions. In an extracorporeal environment, the virus can survive for several hours to several days. Specifically, after leaving the human body and attaching to clothing or hats, the virus can survive for 2 to 3 days. The virus survives relatively longer in the air, but for a shorter period on moist surfaces or in bodily fluids. Additionally, after infecting the human body, the varicella-zoster virus typically survives within the body for only 7 to 14 days. Outside the human body, the virus's outer envelope structure is unstable and susceptible to external environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. Therefore, strengthening personal hygiene habits and maintaining environmental cleanliness are effective methods for reducing the risk of varicella-zoster virus transmission.