How long can the chicken pox virus (varicella) survive in fluid?

24 to 48 hours: There's a little debate about this point, but detergents, heat and dessication (drying) will kill it easily. However, if the surface is wet, the virus will survive longer, and it can survive on some surfaces for an extended period of time. There is debate about "sending it through the mail" on licked envelopes, and having it live in bedding.