ABSTRACT
ETIOLOGY AND EPIDEMIOLOGY Both ch ickenpox and zoster a re manifestations of the same viral infection. Chickenpox represents the primary infection with varicella-zoster virus and is acquired by seronegative persons. This infection may occur as early as in utero or, rarely, in elderly seronegative persons. Infection is acquired by the airborne route. Infectivity is very high and virtually all seronegative persons in close, prolonged, contact with someone who is infected will contract the illness. Herpes zoster may occur as early as in a neonate, in the case of in utero infection, or may manifest itself with increasing frequency with age or with immunosuppression due to either endogenous or exogenous causes.
